Iran slammed a recent meeting held by the World Azerbaijanis' Congress in Baku, saying such "schemes" target friendly ties between the two neighboring countries.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Iranian embassy in Baku said the World Azerbaijanis Congress lacks popular and political support and holds such gatherings in an attempt to "end its isolation", Iran's state-owned Press TV reported.

"The participants in the anti-Iran forum have served the enemies of Iran and Azerbaijan Republic for years and attempt to undermine the friendship between the two nations in line with Israeli propaganda," the statement said.

The embassy also said Tehran will not tolerate insults by the "separatist cell" against the Islamic Republic, urging Azeri authorities to adopt proper legal measures to stop the activities of the group, which seeks to challenge Iran’s territorial sovereignty.

The World Azerbaijanis Congress, which was founded in the United States in 1997, seeks the separation of Iran’s northwestern provinces of East and West Azerbaijan and their unification with the neighboring Republic of Azerbaijan.

Bakudaily.Az