Nasheed criticizes government decision to cut ties with Iran

Former Maldivian President, Opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed has criticized the government’s decision to cut diplomatic ties with Iran, saying that the government had no valid reason to do so.

He tweeted on Wednesday that the government’s decision would further worsen the state of Maldivian people.

Iran aai diplomatic gulhun kadaa laan jehey ehves sababeh neh. Gulhun kadaa lumakee Dhivehinah libey ithuru nikamethi kameh.

— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) May 18, 2016

Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on Tuesday night, in which it said that peace and security in the Arabian Gulf was linked with peace and security of Maldives.

It said that Iran was creating a barrier to peace and security in the region, and that Maldivian government had therefore made the decision to cut diplomatic ties with Iran.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that Iran was called to pursue a policy based on principle of “good neighborliness, non-interference in their domestic affairs, respect for their independence and territorial sovereignty, [and] resolving differences by peaceful means in accordance with OIC and the UN Charters” during Islamic Summit held in Turkey in April.

And appealed Iran to show more commitment and tangible results in implementing recommendations of Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Maldives and Iran established diplomatic ties on June 2, 1975.