He added that Baku authorities are trying to impose their will on the Azeri nation by means of homosexual parades, closing down mosques and banning participation in religious ceremonies.

On May 16, about 100 members of the Southern Azerbaijan Independence Party, the International Diaspora Center, and the World Congress of Azerbaijanis gathered in front of the Iranian Embassy in the Azeri capital.

The pro-Israeli groups shouted slogans against the Islamic Republic, insulting the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

Iran's Foreign Ministry on May 22 summoned Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Tehran Javanshir Akhundov in protest against the gathering in front of the Iranian Embassy in Baku.

Before summoning the Azeri ambassador, Iran's Embassy in Baku issued a strongly-worded statement in protest at the gathering. Mohammad Baqer Bahrami, the Iranian Ambassador to Baku, also left Azerbaijan on Monday in protest at the move.

Relations between the two neighbors have been strained after Azerbaijan signed a USD1.5 billion deal with Israel to purchase drones and anti-aircraft and missile systems.

Azerbaijan is a major energy producer in the Caucasus and exports oil to Israel, while buying weapons and military hardware in return.

Last month, Tehran summoned Azeri Ambassador Javanshir Akhundov to protest Baku’s arms agreement with the Israeli regime.