Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei

Iran has strongly condemned the Israeli regime`s blatant violation of Somalia`s territorial integrity and national sovereignty by recognizing the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as a sovereign state.

The office of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that Tel Aviv formally recognized Somaliland as an "independent and sovereign state" and signed an agreement on building ties between the two entities.

In a statement on Saturday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Israel grossly violated Somalia`s territory and integrity through efforts to advance the plot to disintegrate the Muslim country.

He added that the Israeli move is a clear violation of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.

The Iranian spokesperson stated that Israel`s "malicious" act is part of its broader policy of destabilizing regional states and intensifying insecurity in both the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa.

Baghaei reiterated Iran`s principled stance on the necessity of respecting Somalia`s national sovereignty, coherence, and territorial integrity.

He said Iran supports the firm stance of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the African Union in condemnation of Israel`s recognition.

The OIC General Secretariat on Friday expressed its strong condemnation and categorical rejection of Israel`s move, considering it a violation of the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia, its national unity, and its territorial integrity.

The African Union also said on Friday it "firmly rejects" Israel`s move, warning, "Any attempt to undermine the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia...risks setting a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace and stability across the continent."

Baghaei urged the international community to take decisive action to counter the "expansionist and threatening" action of the occupying Israeli regime.

Somaliland, which is a breakaway from Somalia, has been a target considered for the forced relocation of Palestinians by the Zionist regime. It has maintained self-rule since the 1991 civil war, but has yet to win international recognition.

Somaliland is located along the Gulf of Aden and is home to the deep-water strategic port of Berbera.

The Israeli regime reportedly plans to build a military base in Somaliland, which would enable it to gain control over the Gulf of Aden, where it can launch attacks on the Ansarullah-led government in Yemen.