Parliamentary commission exposes coordinated anti-Azerbaijan smear campaign

The Parliamentary Commission on Foreign Interference and Hybrid Threats of the Milli Majlis has issued a strong statement addressing a coordinated disinformation campaign against Azerbaijan amid recent regional tensions.

In its statement, the Commission highlighted that “during the 12-day confrontation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State of Israel, and in the period following it, the Republic of Azerbaijan was deliberately targeted by hostile forces operating within neighbouring countries and subjected to a coordinated disinformation campaign,” Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

Despite official statements from Azerbaijani authorities at all levels, monitoring by the Commission revealed that “groups operating both within the territory of the neighbouring and friendly Islamic Republic of Iran and beyond have continued to spread false news and information regarding ‘Azerbaijan’s role in the conflict’ on platforms such as Telegram, TikTok, Facebook, X, and YouTube.”

The Commission emphasised that “these actions amount to large-scale disinformation campaigns directed against the security and national interests of our state.”

The campaign did not only target international audiences but also aimed internally within Iran. The Commission noted that “the Iranian society itself has also been a target audience during the campaign, with activities observed aimed at fostering anti-Azerbaijani sentiment within the country.”

Following provocative statements by the Ambassador of Iran to Armenia, the Commission observed a sharp rise in hostile rhetoric: “We have noted a significant increase in anti-Azerbaijani and inciting rhetoric from Armenia-linked circles and individuals in Iran, including networks affiliated with Armenia.”

In addition, the Commission uncovered troubling activities by Azerbaijani-origin groups residing in Iran, who “have used social media platforms to manipulate Azerbaijani citizens under the guise of religion, calling on them to commit various provocations.”

Regarding the scale of the campaign, the Commission estimates that it “is conducted through over 270 profiles originating from Iran, primarily using nearly 600 accounts in Azerbaijani, Russian, Persian, and to a lesser extent in English, Turkish, and Arabic languages. Additionally, these groups operate more than 215 active accounts solely on the TikTok platform.”

The Commission concluded by affirming that it “together with the relevant state agencies, closely monitors these activities directed against our state and takes appropriate countermeasures.”

By Vugar Khalilov