latest newsMaldives has decided to sever 40-year-old diplomatic ties with Iran. The Government said that the country’s policies in the Middle East are detrimental to peace and security in the region.

The Maldives foreign ministry said in a statement last night that peace in the Middle East is also linked to the island nation’s own peace, stability and security. Sunni dominated Maldive’s decision reflects its increasing closeness to Sunni-led Saudi Arabia.

Last year, Saudi Arabia opened an embassy in the Maldives and severed diplomatic ties with long time rival Shiite dominated Iran Iran this year.