Iran condemns Israel's Somaliland recognition as sovereignty violation

Iran has issued a sharp condemnation of Israel's decision to officially recognize the self-declared independence of Somaliland, calling the move a clear infringement on Somalia's national sovereignty. The criticism came from Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani, who stated that the recognition contradicts fundamental principles of international law.

Accusations of Destabilizing Policy

In his statement on Saturday, Kanaani characterized the Israeli action as "malicious," arguing it is consistent with what he described as Israel's wider strategy to foster instability across the Middle East and Africa. He specifically warned that such policies aim to "exacerbate insecurity in the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa," regions of critical global importance. Iran's position aligns with the firm stances taken by both the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the African Union (AU), which have also rejected the recognition.

Call for International Response

The spokesperson urged the global community to take decisive measures to counter what Tehran termed an "expansionist and threat-creating move by the occupying regime." This call for action follows Israel's announcement on Friday, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared full diplomatic relations with Somaliland, referencing the Abraham Accords. The unilateral recognition has been met with widespread disapproval from several nations in the region, including Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar.

Complex Regional Diplomacy

The development occurs amid a nuanced diplomatic landscape. Somalia, which swiftly rejected Israel's move as an unlawful attack on its unity, had cut ties with Iran in 2016. However, following the restoration of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia last year, Mogadishu has shown a willingness to re-engage with Tehran. The foreign ministers of both countries met in Jeddah in August 2023, agreeing to rebuild diplomatic relations, adding another layer to the complex regional reactions to Israel's Somaliland policy.