In a surprising development, Abdolkarim Abedini, the representative of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Friday prayer leader of Qazvin, announced his resignation. While his official statement did not explicitly mention reasons, the timing strongly suggests his controversial comments against Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev played a key role in his departure. This resignation follows a growing diplomatic spat between Iran and Azerbaijan, exposing Tehran’s increasing regional vulnerabilities.
Abedini had served in his position for a decade and was known for his fiery rhetoric. His recent remarks during Friday prayers, where he referred to Aliyev as a “servant of Israel and the United States,” escalated tensions between the two countries. Abedini further suggested that the Azerbaijani people’s anger would lead to Aliyev’s downfall. These statements were made in defense of Hassan Ameli, the Friday prayer leader of Ardabil, whose earlier comments at a controversial religious ceremony had already sparked outrage in Baku.
In his resignation letter, Abedini thanked the people of Qazvin for their support during his tenure and sought forgiveness for any shortcomings. He reaffirmed his loyalty to the Supreme Leader, describing his role as a “commander in the cultural and spiritual front.” However, analysts see the resignation as a calculated move by Tehran to defuse diplomatic tensions after Aliyev publicly demanded accountability and a formal apology from Iranian authorities.
#Iran News: #Azerbaijan's President Calls for Accountability Following Iranian Eulogist’s Insulthttps://t.co/8Bz0otpT5E
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The controversy began at a religious ceremony in Ardabil, where inflammatory remarks were made against both Aliyev and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Aliyev criticized Iranian officials, saying, “This cleric did not appoint himself. We know very well who appointed him. The question is, does that authority endorse such behavior, or will there be consequences? Will we receive an apology from Iran?”
His remarks highlighted broader grievances, including allegations of Iranian support for Armenia during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Iran’s failure to prosecute the perpetrators of a deadly attack on Azerbaijan’s Tehran embassy.
Tehran’s inability to contain the fallout reflects its diminishing influence and growing struggles to manage diplomatic crises. The resignation of high-ranking clerics like Abedini indicates internal fractures within the regime, as external pressures and regional assertiveness challenge its authority. This incident underscores Iran’s weakening position in the face of assertive neighbors like Azerbaijan and Turkey, further isolating the regime on the global stage.