TEHRAN, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Friday "completely" rejected the Colombian government's "baseless" anti-Iran claims while strongly condemning the South American state's accusations against the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC).
It issued the denial and condemnation in a statement one day after Colombia's Foreign Ministry announced that it had formally severed diplomatic relations with Iran, effective Sept. 19, and designated the IRGC as a "terrorist organization."
The Iranian ministry said the Colombian government's move to level "baseless" accusations against Iran and simultaneously announce the severance of diplomatic ties with Tehran, which have a history of more than half a century, "is contrary to the principle of mutual respect and the two nations' interests."
It added that none of the claims made by the Colombian government to justify the decision are valid or logical, stressing that the decision has been made solely due to the "influence exerted by Israel and the United States."
The statement vowed that Iran will adopt the necessary measures in response to the Colombian government's "unjustified and hostile" approach in line with protecting its national interests.
Colombia's Foreign Ministry said Thursday that the country formally severed diplomatic relations with Iran effective Sept. 19.
The ministry explained that the decision took into account alleged links between the Iranian government and international terrorist groups and other "narco-terrorist" organizations that Colombia considers a security threat.
It added that "these events have eroded Colombia's confidence in the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran" and claimed that the IRGC "poses a serious threat to international peace and security" through "covert operations beyond Iran's borders." ■
