Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned Azerbaijan’s ambassador in Tehran and lodged a formal protest over Baku’s decision to bar 14 Iranian citizens from entering the country.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei described Azerbaijan’s decision as unfriendly and said Tehran could take additional steps. No specific retaliatory measures have been announced.
Tehran Calls Decision Unjustified
Baghaei said Iran considered the action unreasonable because none of the people on the list were diplomats and they were not in Azerbaijan when the ban was announced.
He confirmed that Azerbaijan’s ambassador was called to the Foreign Ministry and formally informed of Iran’s protest.
Why Azerbaijan Imposed the Ban
Azerbaijan declared the 14 Iranian citizens persona non grata and prohibited their entry on Nov. 3. The list includes members and former members of Iran’s parliament, religious figures, media representatives, academics and commentators.
Azerbaijani authorities said those individuals had made hostile and insulting statements about the country, promoted religious radicalism, incited hostility and called for the forcible removal of the government. Those accusations represent Baku’s official position.
Dispute Moves to Diplomatic Level
Summoning the ambassador and delivering a formal protest moves the dispute over public statements by Iranian figures into an official interstate channel.
At the time of publication, Tehran had not announced a reciprocal entry ban, expelled Azerbaijani diplomats or suspended bilateral contacts.
Source: Vesti Baku.