Albania–Iran relations

Due to distance between the two countries, it was unclear when the two countries first established relations, though it was highly the relations began following the World War II, when Albania became a communist state and Iran was under the Pahlavi dynasty.[3] As Albania was a communist state, it aligned with the Soviet Union while Pahlavi Iran allied with the United States throughout the early phase of Cold War.

Following the establishment of Islamic theocracy in Iran at 1979, Albania, being a communist state, aligned with the Soviets against Iran in the Iran–Iraq War.[3] This has eventually fomented future tensions between Albania and Iran, even when Albania entered into a democratic era since 1990s.

At first, Iran sought to gain support from Albanians by fighting in Kosovo War, and there were reports about Iranian fighters in Kosovo, as well as Iranian media openly spread news about Albanians thanking Iranian support and desire for a similar theocratic state, similar to the tactics which Iran gained successful support from the Bosniaks in the previous Bosnian War.[4] Iranian President Mohammad Khatami even supported Albanian Muslims during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999.[5] However, it backfired when Albania decided to stick with a secular and modern pro-Western government, and recognized the existence of Israel, instead of an Islamic theocracy model Iran had hoped.

As for the result of Albania's alignment with the United States, poor relations between Iran and Albania started to bear the pressure. In 2002, Iran founded the "Koran Foundation of Kosovo" with hope to drive Albanians in both Albania and Kosovo to abandon its secularism and support a Shi'a theocracy, but it was unsuccessful; Albanian police even launched crackdowns on the foundation.[6] Iran in 2008 had refused to recognize the independence of Kosovo in retaliation for the crackdown on Iran-backed groups in Albania and Kosovo.

Albania's decision to welcome People's Mujahedin of Iran taking refuge in the country has led to further deterioration of Albanian–Iranian relations.[7] Albania had also accused Iran of plotting terrorist attacks in the country during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, and expelled Iranian diplomats in response.[8] Iran, in response, accused Albania of fabrication under American and Israeli pressure.[8]

In January 2020, following the death of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani made their speeches, smearing "a small and sinister country" for trying to overthrow the Islamic regime in Iran, which was believed to be directed on Albania due to MEK refuge status.[9] Albanian President Ilir Meta dismissed the Iranian claim, and condemned Iranian government.[9][10] Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama openly endorsed an attack against Iran by the U.S. in response to Iranian criticism against Albania.[9]