SAEDNEWS: After claims emerged that Israeli forces used Azerbaijani airspace to launch attacks on Iran—particularly near Tabriz—Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian raised the issue directly with Ilham Aliyev, who denied the allegations.
According to Saed News, tensions flared between Tehran and Baku after Iranian officials and analysts alleged that Israeli warplanes may have used Azerbaijani airspace to carry out recent strikes against Iranian territory, including the strategic city of Tabriz. The accusations prompted Iran’s newly elected president, Masoud Pezeshkian, to initiate a direct diplomatic inquiry.
In a phone call with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Pezeshkian reportedly requested clarity and verification regarding the possible complicity of Baku in facilitating Israeli aerial operations. Aliyev, for his part, firmly denied any such cooperation with Tel Aviv, stressing Azerbaijan’s commitment to regional stability and respect for Iranian sovereignty.
Iran’s state broadcaster, IRIB, aired footage and audio excerpts of the exchange, framing the interaction as a matter of national security and regional diplomacy. While the government in Baku has not issued a formal written response, sources familiar with the matter suggest that Azerbaijani officials are keen to distance themselves from any perception of alliance with Israel in the context of Iran’s internal security.
The backdrop to this exchange is the historically complex relationship between Iran, Azerbaijan, and Israel, with recent geopolitical shifts—such as normalization agreements and energy partnerships—further complicating the equation. As diplomatic channels remain open, the incident underscores the fraught nature of regional alliances and the delicate balance leaders must strike between partnership and provocation.
