Iran has formally requested that Azerbaijan investigate allegations that Israeli drones utilized its airspace to launch attacks on Iranian territory during the recent conflict. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urged his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ilham Aliyev, to “investigate and verify” reports that Israeli drones and micro-drones may have entered Iranian airspace via Azerbaijani territory.
“We have received information that a small number of drones have flown into Iranian territory from the territory of neighbouring countries,” said Mehdi Sobhani, Iran’s ambassador to Armenia. “Therefore, during a telephone conversation between the presidents of Iran and Azerbaijan, our president asked Aliyev to conduct a serious investigation into this matter. We will await the results of this investigation.”
According to the Iranian presidential office, President Pezeshkian pressed Aliyev to investigate reports that Israel had conducted “drone and microlight attacks into Iranian skies through the airspace of the Republic of Azerbaijan.” Aliyev firmly denied the allegations, assuring Pezeshkian that Azerbaijan “would not in any way allow its skies to be used against the friendly and brotherly country.”
Details of the Conflict
The conflict between Iran and Israel began on June 13, when Israel launched a significant aerial campaign targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities. A ceasefire between the two nations took effect on June 24, bringing an end to the 12-day conflict. During the conflict, Iran’s air defenses engaged multiple drones, including an Israeli Hermes-900 unmanned aerial vehicle near Arak in Markazi province.
Azerbaijan’s Response
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev reaffirmed his country’s commitment to respecting Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “From the beginning of the attacks, Azerbaijan condemned them through our foreign minister and emphasized that we would not allow our airspace to be used against Iran,” Aliyev said. “We fully control our airspace.” Aliyev also invited Pezeshkian to attend the upcoming ECO summit in Azerbaijan, expressing his desire to deepen cooperation between the two nations.
Iran’s Concerns
Iran’s concerns about Azerbaijani airspace being used for attacks stem from the two countries’ complex relationship. Azerbaijan has deepened its ties with Israel in recent years, marked by significant defense cooperation and the opening of an Azerbaijani embassy in Tel Aviv in 2023. Iranian officials view these developments with increasing suspicion, particularly given Israel’s reputation as a major arms supplier to Baku.
Investigation and Verification
The investigation into the alleged use of Azerbaijani airspace by Israeli drones is ongoing. Iran’s ambassador to Armenia, Mehdi Sobhani, emphasized that Tehran will await the results of the investigation before determining its response. “We do not confirm some of the information and reports published by certain sources in this regard,” Sobhani said. “Once all aspects of the situation become clear, we will decide on our response.
Iran has formally requested that Azerbaijan investigate allegations that Israeli drones utilized its airspace to launch attacks on Iranian territory during the recent conflict. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urged his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ilham Aliyev, to “investigate and verify” reports that Israeli drones and micro-drones may have entered Iranian airspace via Azerbaijani territory.
“We have received information that a small number of drones have flown into Iranian territory from the territory of neighbouring countries,” said Mehdi Sobhani, Iran’s ambassador to Armenia. “Therefore, during a telephone conversation between the presidents of Iran and Azerbaijan, our president asked Aliyev to conduct a serious investigation into this matter. We will await the results of this investigation.”
According to the Iranian presidential office, President Pezeshkian pressed Aliyev to investigate reports that Israel had conducted “drone and microlight attacks into Iranian skies through the airspace of the Republic of Azerbaijan.” Aliyev firmly denied the allegations, assuring Pezeshkian that Azerbaijan “would not in any way allow its skies to be used against the friendly and brotherly country.”
Details of the Conflict
The conflict between Iran and Israel began on June 13, when Israel launched a significant aerial campaign targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities. A ceasefire between the two nations took effect on June 24, bringing an end to the 12-day conflict. During the conflict, Iran’s air defenses engaged multiple drones, including an Israeli Hermes-900 unmanned aerial vehicle near Arak in Markazi province.
Azerbaijan’s Response
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev reaffirmed his country’s commitment to respecting Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “From the beginning of the attacks, Azerbaijan condemned them through our foreign minister and emphasized that we would not allow our airspace to be used against Iran,” Aliyev said. “We fully control our airspace.” Aliyev also invited Pezeshkian to attend the upcoming ECO summit in Azerbaijan, expressing his desire to deepen cooperation between the two nations.
Iran’s concerns about Azerbaijani airspace being used for attacks stem from the two countries’ complex relationship. Azerbaijan has deepened its ties with Israel in recent years, marked by significant defense cooperation and the opening of an Azerbaijani embassy in Tel Aviv in 2023. Iranian officials view these developments with increasing suspicion, particularly given Israel’s reputation as a major arms supplier to Baku.
The investigation into the alleged use of Azerbaijani airspace by Israeli drones is ongoing. Iran’s ambassador to Armenia, Mehdi Sobhani, emphasized that Tehran will await the results of the investigation before determining its response. “We do not confirm some of the information and reports published by certain sources in this regard,” Sobhani said. “Once all aspects of the situation become clear, we will decide on our response.