Peru severs diplomatic ties with Iran

Peru announced that it has decided to end diplomatic relations with Iran, as tensions in the Middle East escalate. The country's foreign ministry said the decision was driven by Lima's "historic commitment to peace". The statement added that Peru watched with growing concern "the deterioration of democratic values in Iran," including what it said was Tehran's "repression of peaceful demonstrations, the curtailment of freedom of the press, discrimination against women and girls, and the persecution of political opponents". It also warned of possible repercussions for energy prices and global supply chains, amid disruptions to international trade through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Peru has rejected Iran's "incitement to violence and the escalation of conflicts in the Middle East, as well as its obstruction of the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)". Although it would be cutting off ties with Tehran, Lima indicated that consular relations would remain in order to protect the interests and nationals of both countries.