Iran's foreign ministry has denied recent media reports that Sudan shut down the Iranian cultural centers in Sudan and gave the Iranian cultural attaché 72 hours to leave the country.
The move comes after several media reports accused the Iranian cultural center in Khartoum of attempting to propagate the Shiite faith in the predominantly Sunni-Muslim nation.
"It appears that certain groups in Sudan are trying to impair the good relations between Tehran and Khartoum," Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian was quoted as saying by the Fars News Agency on Wednesday.
The Iranian deputy foreign minister ensured that "the embassies and cultural and economic missions of both countries are continuing their operations," and said that he was sure that "the Sudanese government would not let anyone undermine the historical relations between the two countries".
A statement issued by Sudan's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said the Iranian cultural center in Khartoum had "overstepped the mandate given it by the Sudanese authorities to carry out its activities."
"The center was established to encourage cultural exchanges between the two countries, but it has become a threat to [Sudan's] cultural and social security," spokesman Youssef al-Kardafani said without elaborating.
He added that Sudan's Foreign Ministry had summoned the Iranian chargé d'affaires in order to tell him of the decision to close the cultural center and to give the cultural attaché – along with center employees – 72 hours to depart the country.
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