Italy to represent Canada in Iran after diplomatic row

ROME - Agence France-Presse

Embassy staff back a van into the underground garage at the Iranian embassy in Ottawa, Friday Sept.7, 2012. The Canadian government says it is shutting its embassy in Tehran and severing diplomatic relations amid recent attacks on foreign diplomats in Iran. AP photo

The Italian embassy in Tehran will represent Canada's interest in Iran after the two countries broke off diplomatic relations, the Italian foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday.
 
"Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi today announced Italy's decision to respond positively to the request to represent Canadian interests in Iran following the closure of their embassy in Tehran," the ministry said.
 
"This decision was taken based on the traditional relations taken with this important friend and ally. Italy will ensure the protection of Canadian interests in Iran respecting international convention." On Friday, Canada announced it had closed its Tehran embassy and ordered Iranian diplomats expelled.
 
Ottawa did not cite a specific incident for the breakdown in relations, but issued a strongly worded attack on the Islamic Republic's support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime and its "incitement to genocide" against Israel.