Iran has many similar activities in Albania as it has in Tajikistan, which in one case led to the closure of one its centers in Tajikistan as explained above. For example, apart from providing funds to various Islamic sects in Albania, Iran is controlling Sa’di College, a so-called Persian cultural school in Albania that tries to attract Albanians, teach them Farsi and organize free trips to Iran for students.

Iran Meddling in Small Muslim Countries Surfaces

On Monday, the speaker of the Iranian foreign ministry briefly spoke of his country’s dispute with Tajikistan and said, “our efforts aim to clear the misunderstandings developed in Dushanbe with respect to Tehran.”

Eurasianet.org, which covers news of the region, reported that last week, the Tajikistan authorities order the shut down of an Iranian trade and culture center in Tajikistan’s northern Sughd province. 

They also banned all the works of Ayatollah Khomeini and other famous Iranian clerics. Iran uses such teachings to spread its version of the Islamic Revolution. Iran has also had a very friendly relationship with, as Iranian media report, the leader of the Islamic movement of Tajikistan.

Eurasianet.org reports, “Tehran in December 2015 welcomed Tajik opposition leader Muhiddin Kabiri, who is wanted back home on trumped-up charges of fomenting a plot to topple the government, to an Islamic-themed conference. 

During the same visit, Kabiri met with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei for talks and was pictured as they exchanged warm greetings.”