The Government has denied the rumors that diplomatic ties with Iran were severed due to Saudi influence. The Government had severed ties with Iran on May 17.
Speaking in a press conference held today, Minister Dunya said Maldives was a sovereign nation and as such had the right to determine own affairs.
Minister Dunya denied that Saudi influence played any part in severing ties with Iran.
She reiterated the statement that the policies that Iranian Government pursues in the Middle East, and in particular, in the Arabian Gulf region, is detrimental to peace and security in the region, which, in many ways, is also linked to stability, peace and security of the Maldives. She added that Iran had in the past interfered into the domestic policies of other nations and severing ties was a means of taking stand on the issue.
