Azerbaijan Assures Iran Its Territory Won’t Be Used for Attacks 

AFP

Baku: Azerbaijan on Saturday firmly reassured Iran that it would not allow its territory to be used for launching attacks against the Islamic Republic, amid heightened regional tensions following unprecedented Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets.

The statement came after concerns were raised in Tehran over Azerbaijan’s close military ties with Israel — a key arms supplier and strategic partner of Baku.

“Azerbaijan will never permit the use of its land for attacks on third countries, including friendly Iran,” Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov told his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, during a phone conversation, according to a statement from Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry.

Bayramov also cautioned that the ongoing confrontation risked destabilizing the wider region and emphasized the need for diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.

The Azerbaijani ministry further noted that Baku had facilitated land transit across its territory after Iran shut down its airspace in response to the Israeli assault.

The call between the two ministers followed Friday’s deadly Israeli offensive on Iranian territory, which reportedly killed at least 78 people, including senior military officials and nuclear scientists.

Iran retaliated by launching a barrage of missiles and drones at Israel, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuries to over 70 others, further fueling fears of a broader regional conflict.