Baku Summons Iran Envoy Over Tehran’s Diplomatic Note

Azerbaijani media report that the government of Baku summoned the Iranian ambassador Abbas Mousavi, after the Islamic Republic sent a diplomatic note to the Caucasian country.

Aykhan Hajizada, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan said that his government received Iran's note Monday morning.

Hajizada added Mousavi Iran's note criticizing Azerbaijani media for its reporting about Iran’s policies was "insulting, false, slanderous and biased" contents.

He further noted that the Iranian ambassador was told "The Islamic Republic's unilateral actions" have always been the cause of misunderstandings in the relations between the two countries.

The Iranian ambassador or government are yet to react to the statements of Baku Foreign Ministry officials.

Relations between Azerbaijan and Iran, which has a large population of ethnic Azeris in its northwest, have been strained in recent months after Baku announced plans to open formal diplomatic ties with Israel. In January, Azerbaijan closed its embassy in Tehran after what it called a "terrorist attack" that killed the embassy's head of security.

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said Wednesday in the presence of Bayramov that Iran threatens our region and creates instability in the Middle East by supporting and financing terrorism. He also urged Baku to act jointly against Iran’s nuclear program.

Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked the Azerbaijani government twice to explain Baku's position regarding the Israeli Foreign Minister's remarks.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan Republic has arrested four people in connection with the attempted assassination of a lawmaker who was shot and wounded last week by what is attributed to Iran-linked agents.