Peru’s government, in a statement, announced: based on its historical and peace-seeking approach and in line with its unwavering commitment to respect international law and defend democracy, it is cutting its diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The Peruvian government said it has cited, among the reasons for this decision, weakening democracy, suppressing peaceful protests, violating freedom of the press, discrimination against women and girls, and pursuing political opponents in Iran.

In its official statement, the Peruvian government also strongly criticized the Islamic Republic’s actions of “disrupting international trade through the Strait of Hormuz.”

Peru also protested and announced its objection to the Islamic Republic’s creation of obstacles to the activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency, stating: this has made the necessary verification process more difficult for preventing the production of nuclear weapons.

The Peruvian government officially conveyed its decision to cut diplomatic relations to the government of the Islamic Republic through the Embassy of the Islamic Republic in Ecuador.