Iran’s embassy in Baku has rejected “baseless and spiteful” allegations linking Tehran to protests in Azerbaijan over a hijab ban in schools, saying such claims are intended to sow discord between the two neighboring countries.

In a Thursday press statement responding to an October 13 report by Azerbaijan’s APA news agency on hijab restrictions, the embassy expressed regret over “baseless, biased, provocative and spiteful” allegations against Iran.

The APA report claimed that the hijab ban in schools has become a tool of interference, while leveling unfounded accusations against Iran.

The embassy reiterated that Iran’s principled policy has always been based on mutual respect, good neighborliness and respect for the national sovereignty of other countries.

The statement rejected attempts "to attribute any gathering, protest, or public dissatisfaction in the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Islamic Republic of Iran" as "baseless and devoid of truth.”

It added that spreading false information and bids to fabricate links between current developments and Iran are merely aimed at serving the interests of the two countries’ enemies who seek to sow division among Muslims and weaken Muslim countries.

Such moves would prepare the ground for “unnecessary misunderstandings” in bilateral relations, it warned.

While reaffirming Tehran’s commitment to expanding friendly and brotherly relations with Azerbaijan on the basis of mutual respect, the embassy reiterated the need to avoid baseless allegations and accusations.

'War against Muslim women': Netizens blast headscarf ban in Azerbaijan schools

Azerbaijan’s ban on hijab-wearing students and teachers has sparked global condemnation, with social media users calling it religious persecution of Muslims.

The protests erupted in Azerbaijan after the government amended regulations governing uniforms in state schools in September, prohibiting additional clothing that conflicts with the prescribed uniform or the secular principles of education, without explicitly mentioning the hijab.

Earlier this month, the Baku City Education Department announced inspections to check whether students and teachers comply with the measure.

Local media reported that pupils demonstrated outside schools on Monday and boycotted lessons in solidarity with girls denied entry for wearing Islamic headscarves.

Videos circulated online indicate the ban applies specifically to headscarves, despite the official wording not mentioning them directly.