Albania broke off diplomatic relations with Iran

Today, Albania severed diplomatic relations with Iran, accused of massive cyber attacks on that country, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said today.

"The Council of Ministers has decided to immediately terminate diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran," Rama said.

The Iranian Embassy in Tirana has received an official notification demanding that all its diplomatic, technical, administrative and security personnel leave the territory of Albania within 24 hours.

Rama accused Iran of being behind "a severe cyber attack on July 15 against the digital infrastructure of the Albanian government with the aim of destroying it."

"The in-depth investigation provided us with indisputable proof" that the attack was "organized and sponsored" by Tehran, he added.

In 2013, Albania accepted to welcome the People's Mujahideen Organization of Iran (PMOI) on its soil, at the request of Washington and members of the United Nations. It is an exile movement that is banned in Iran and is a fierce opponent of the Iranian authorities.

Skopje condemned Iranian cyber attacks

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia condemned today the massive cyber attacks against the Government of Albania, which Iran was accused of.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia strongly condemns the cyber attack of July 15, 2022, carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran against the Government of Albania. Such destructive attacks represent a flagrant violation of the norms of international law, an attempt to undermine the sovereignty of Albania, as well as a direct threat to the security of its citizens and institution," the announcement states.

It is emphasized that North Macedonia stands in solidarity with the Government of Albania, that it supports the measures taken in that context and that it calls to account the perpetrators of such malignant destabilizing activities that threaten not only the national security and security of Albania, but also have wider regional and international implications.

"In order to protect our interests, but also the interests of each individual NATO member country and its allies, we remain united within the Alliance in facing all challenges that threaten international order and security," the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia states.