Iran Recalls Baku Envoy For Talks After Peres Visit
Israeli President Shimon Peres delivers a lecture at a Baku university on June 29
June 29, 2009
TEHRAN (Reuters) -- Iran has recalled its ambassador to Azerbaijan for consultations after a visit by Israeli President Shimon Peres to the Islamic Republic's northwestern neighbour, an Iranian news agency reported on June 29.
Quoting an informed source, ISNA said the envoy was recalled to Tehran after Peres' visit to Azerbaijan on June 28 and "threats" which it said the Israeli ambassador in Baku had voiced against Iran, without elaborating.
The semi-official Fars News Agency carried a similar report.
Iran does not recognise Israel, which it refers to as the "Zionist regime." Israel has not ruled out military action if diplomatic efforts fail to resolve Tehran's nuclear row with the West. Tehran says its nuclear work is peaceful.
On June 21, Peres, commenting on post-election unrest in Iran, said he hoped the current Iranian government would disappear.
Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad, who officially won the disputed June 12 election, has sparked outrage in the West by questioning the Holocaust and predicting the imminent demise of Israel.