Key facts
- Colombia formally severed diplomatic ties with Iran on Thursday.
- The decision took effect on Saturday, September 19.
- Colombia cited national and hemispheric security concerns.
- Allegations include human rights violations and links to terrorist groups.
- Iran's obstruction of IAEA nuclear verification efforts was also cited.
Colombia announced on Thursday that it has formally severed diplomatic relations with Iran, a decision that took effect on Saturday. The Colombian Foreign Ministry cited "national and hemispheric security concerns" as the primary reason for the move. The ministry accused Iran of confirmed human rights violations, verified attacks against countries not involved in the Middle East conflict, the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and obstruction of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) efforts to verify its nuclear program. These factors, the ministry stated, "deteriorated Colombia’s trust in the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran."