Iran calls on Ecuador, Mexico to resolve dispute via dialogue

Emphasizing the importance and necessity of respecting the immunity and guaranteeing the security and safety of diplomatic and consular places and agencies, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kan'ani expressed concern about the raid on the Mexican embassy in Quito.

Stressing the commitment of the host government to maintain and protect the immunity and security of diplomatic and consular places, Kan'ani invited the governments of Ecuador and Mexico to a dialogue to resolve the differences between them.

Mexico suspended relations with Ecuador after security officials there raided its embassy late Friday night.

During the raid, Ecuadorian authorities arrested their country's former vice president, Jorge Glas, who had been holed up at the Mexican Embassy in Ecuador's capital Quito since a warrant was issued for his arrest in December.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador instructed his foreign minister to cut diplomatic ties with Ecuador, calling the raid "a flagrant violation of international law and of Mexico's sovereignty."

Obrador said Glas was "a refugee and seeking asylum due to the persecution and harassment he is facing."

The Ecuadorian presidency confirmed Glas' arrest in a statement on X, formerly Twitter. 

"No criminal can be considered a politically persecuted person," the presidency said, stressing that Glas, convicted twice for corruption, "has been convicted with an enforceable sentence and had an arrest warrant issued by the competent authorities."