The Republic of Azerbaijan has declared 14 Iranian citizens, including several members of parliament and a cleric, as “undesirable” and has banned their entry into this country.

In a statement, the Azerbaijani government said that in recent months, accusations and baseless claims, insulting remarks, and unlawful calls against the government, people, and leadership of the Republic of Azerbaijan by some citizens and media outlets of the Islamic Republic have increased.

According to the Baku government, some clerics, members of parliament, experts, and media activists have targeted the government and security of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as the relationship between the state and religion and the system of government in this country.

Following the adoption of a directive that requires all school students to wear “uniform standardized clothing,” strong criticism has been raised by circles in Iran regarding what they call “fighting against the hijab” and “restricting religious freedoms” in the Republic of Azerbaijan.