The Cyprus Foreign Ministry said Iran objected to last month’s extradition of Iranian Saeid Mohabat to the U.S. to face charges of breaching United Nations sanctions against Iran, and that Iran responded by recalling its ambassador on Wednesday “for consultations” in Tehran.
Government spokesman Christos Stylianides said Cyprus was “absolutely bound” to its international obligations. However, he expressed hope the issue won’t harm his country’s ties with Iran.
“We believe that our relations with Iran and bilateral cooperation won’t be affected as a result of this incident and will remain at their current levels for the mutual benefit of both people,” Stylianides said.
Justice Minister Ionas Nicolaou said Mohabat, 45, was sought for his alleged role in a bid to transfer “prohibited weapons systems” from the U.S. to Iran in violation of U.N. sanctions imposed regarding Tehran’s nuclear program. He said Cypriot authorities arrested Mohabat when he arrived in the country on the strength of an Interpol
AFP