Morocco denies cutting ties with Iran under pressure from some countries

Morocco denied Wednesday that its decision to cut diplomatic relations with Iran was taken under pressure from other countries.


The Moroccan Foreign Ministry made the remarks after pro-Iranian circles, including Iran's Lebanese ally Hezbollah, said Tuesday that Morocco took the decision to severe ties with Iran under "American, Israeli, Saudi pressure."

On Tuesday, Morocco decided to sever relationships with Iran over its backing to Western Sahara's separatist movement the Polisario Front, the Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said.

Bourita said Morocco will expel the Iranian ambassador in Rabat and will close its embassy in Tehran.

The Moroccan foreign minister said his country has "strong evidence of Iran's involvement through its proxy Hezbollah in supporting the Polisario Front financially and through training of its members to undermine Morocco's security and stability."

"Instead of responding to these facts, these circles seek to resort to unfounded arguments," the foreign ministry said in the statement.
  (chinamedia)
 3/5/18