Azerbaijan rejects claims its territory is being used against Iran

Azerbaijan has dismissed allegations that its territory is being used for intelligence or military activities against neighbouring Iran, reaffirming that it will not allow its land to be used to interfere in the affairs of any neighbouring state.

In an interview with Türkiye’s Milliyet newspaper, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan Hikmet Hajiyev described the regional security environment as highly volatile, noting that the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel is taking place about 200 kilometres south of Baku, while the Russia-Ukraine war continues roughly the same distance to the north, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Responding to allegations that Israel's Mossad intelligence agency is operating from Azerbaijani territory, Hajiyev said Azerbaijan considers Iran a "brotherly country" and firmly rejects such claims.

He stressed that respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty is a core principle of Azerbaijan's foreign policy and said the country would never allow its territory to be used for actions against a neighbouring state.

Hajiyev also highlighted Azerbaijan's close ties with communities living across the Araz River in Iran, saying the country has a moral responsibility toward them regardless of their nationality or religion.

Rejecting the allegations on practical grounds, he argued that any such operation would be impossible because access from Israel would require transit through Türkiye, which, he said, neither Türkiye nor Azerbaijan would permit.

He concluded by describing the allegations as part of a "dirty propaganda" campaign.

By Sabina Mammadli