Iran hits back at Colombia following severance of ties: Bogotá acted under the influence of the U.S. and Israel

 Iran condemned Colombia's decision to sever diplomatic relations on Friday and rejected the accusations cited by Bogotá to justify the move, describing them as "baseless." 

In a statement released by the official IRNA news agency, the Iranian Foreign Ministry asserted that the rupture of ties spanning more than half a century contradicts "the principle of mutual respect" and the interests of both peoples.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry maintained that "none of the accusations" raised by the Colombian government to substantiate the decision were "justified or logical" and claimed that Bogotá acted under the influence of the U.S. and Israel. 

Tehran also specifically condemned accusations leveled against a branch of its armed forces after Colombia designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.

The statement took a harsher tone by accusing the Colombian government of being "heavily influenced" by cartels involved in drug production and distribution, and of being part of a "narco-terrorism" network operating in the Americas and other regions. For this reason, Tehran asserted that Bogotá is "not in a position" to lecture other countries on terrorism and drug trafficking.

Iran further described the Colombian accusations as a "hypocritical attempt to divert attention" and held Colombia responsible for involvement in the trafficking of large drug shipments to various parts of the world, including Iranian territory. 

As an example, the Foreign Ministry cited the recent seizure in Tehran of 55 kilograms of cocaine originating from Colombia, which, according to its account, had been brought in by a network linked to influential Colombians.

• Iran condemns Colombia’s ‘baseless’ accusations against its armed forces