Iran Replaces Foreign Ministry Protocol Director After Diplomatic Incident

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud walking out of a conference room in protest to a picture of IRGC general Qassem Soleimani, Iran’s architect of proxy wars in the Middle East, Tehran, June 17, 2023
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud walking out of a conference room in protest to a picture of IRGC general Qassem Soleimani, Iran’s architect of proxy wars in the Middle East, Tehran, June 17, 2023

The director general of protocol at Iran's ministry of foreign affairs has been fired following a diplomatic incident during the recent visit of Saudi's foreign minister.

Following the resumption of diplomatic ties, Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Tehran earlier this month and immediately held a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. 

At the press conference which followed, the top Saudi diplomat realized he was standing in front of a picture of IRGC general Qassem Soleimani, Iran’s architect of proxy wars in the Middle East, including arming Yemen’s Houthis against Saudi Arabia.

Prince Faisal immediately requested the venue of the press conference to be changed and the Iranian side complied in a bid not to tarnish the newly revived relations between the two countries after years of tension which isolated the Iranian régime in the region.

Ten days after the debacle, Mehdi Honardoust has been replaced by Mohsen Mortezaiefar, son of Mahmoud Mortezaiefar, the former presenter of Friday prayers.

Soleimani was killed in an air strike in January 2020 ordered by former US President Donald Trump - a victory for many in the region who saw themselves as victims of his reign of terror.