Azeri ambassador summoned over Iran spy plot

TEHRAN, March 17 (MNA) – The Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned Azerbaijani Ambassador Javanshir Akhundov on Saturday to protest about the allegations that the Azeri government has recently leveled against the Islamic Republic.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Azerbaijani National Security Ministry said that the country’s security forces had arrested 22 people who it claimed had been hired by Iran to carry out terrorist attacks against U.S. and Israeli embassies as well as Western-linked groups and companies, according to AP.

The Azerbaijani ministry claimed that the 22, all Azerbaijan citizens, had been trained in Iran by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps.

In his meeting with the Azeri ambassador, an Iranian Foreign Ministry official said that Tehran dismisses the accusations, adding that they run counter to the agreements made during the meeting of the Iranian and Azeri foreign ministers in Nakhchivan on March 7 and the meetings of the Azerbaijani defense minister with Iranian officials in Tehran on March 12 and 13.

Baku’s ambassador was also told that the Zionist regime has been making similar allegations against the Islamic Republic and that it is a matter of regret that the friendly government of Azerbaijan has become involved in such a political game.

Akhundov said that his country’s officials are determined to expand relations with Tehran, adding that he will convey Iran’s protest to Azerbaijani officials.

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MNA