Iran NOC President Syed Reza Salehi Amiri has claimed it will continue to boycott matches against Israel ©Getty Images

National Olympic Committee of the Islamic Republic of Iran President Syed Reza Salehi Amiri appears to have reneged on a promise to respect the Olympic Charter and its non-discrimination rules by claiming athletes from several Muslim countries would continue their refusal to compete against Israelis.

Amiri told the Fars News Agency that Iran would maintain its boycott of matches with Israeli athletes and claims he informed International Judo Federation (IJF) President Marius Vizer of the nation's stance.

It comes despite the Iran National Olympic Committee claiming it would change after it reached an agreement with the IJF in May.

Iran vowed to "fully respect the Olympic Charter and its non-discrimination principle" and promised to adhere to the IJF statutes in a letter to the worldwide governing body, which was copied to International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach.

But this has been thrown into doubt by Amiri, whose comments could land Iran in hot water with the IOC.

"Refraining from participating in competitions with athletes of the Zionist regime is an issue of the Muslim world, and athletes from 20 countries refrain from doing so," he said. 

"I said that we are acting within the framework of the Iranian regime's policy - and for this reason, we are not competing with athletes of the Zionist regime."

The IJF republished the letter it received from Iran in May, which promised the country would fully respect the Olympic Charter ©IJF
The IJF republished the letter it received from Iran in May, which promised the country would fully respect the Olympic Charter ©IJF

Iranian judoka have refused to face Israeli athletes for the best part of 40 years as the countries are locked in a protracted diplomatic feud.

To avoid facing Israeli competitors, Iranian athletes have often feigned injury or ensured they failed to make the weight.

Others have deliberately lost their preceding bout to ensure they do not face an Israeli, often acting on an order from the Government.

The most recent incident came at the Paris Grand Slam in February, where world under-81 kilograms champion Saeid Mollaei threw a bout to avoid a meeting with Israel's Sagi Muki, who went on to win gold.

Mollaei then seemingly feigned injury so he did not have to appear with Muki on the podium.

The two could potentially face each other at the IJF World Championships in Tokyo in August.

In response to Amiri, the IJF republished the letter it received from Iran in May and claimed it was "self explanatory and clearly states that the Iranian NOC will fully comply with the Olympic Charter and principles of non-discrimination".

Iran could face sanctions from the IOC if it continues its sporting boycott towards Israel.

The IOC has urged International Federations not to award or host major events in countries which discriminate against athletes from other nations.

In a statement, the IOC said the National Olympic Committee of the Islamic Republic of Iran had claimed the interview with Amiri "never took place".