Azerbaijan urges Iran, Israel to exercise restraint Amid growing tension

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has expressed deep concern about the growing tension between Iran and Israel.

“Azerbaijan is deeply concerned over the rising tensions between Iran and Israel. We call on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid dangerous escalation that would further destabilize the situation in the Middle East,” Caliber.Az reports, citing the ministry’s statement published on the social network page X.

The statement underscores Azerbaijan's commitment to stability in the Middle East region and its call for dialogue and de-escalation to prevent further deterioration of the situation.

On April 13 night, Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel in its first direct attack on Israeli territory, in a retaliatory assault that wounded a seven-year-old girl and caused minor damage at an Israeli military facility.

The attack set off air raid sirens in cities across Israel, including in Tel Aviv and West Jerusalem, and explosions were heard as Israeli air defences intercepted the projectiles.

Booms and air raid sirens sounded across Israel after Iran launched hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles in an unprecedented revenge mission that pushed the Middle East closer to a regionwide war.

Israel closed its airspace at midnight and fully activated its air defense systems ahead of the aerial assault. It took several hours for the drones to reach Israeli airspace.

Calling the outcome “a very significant strategic success,” IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Iran fired 170 drones, more than 30 cruise missiles and more than 120 ballistic missiles. Of those, several ballistic missiles reached Israeli territory, causing minor damage to an air base.