Iran Denies Involvement in Azerbaijan Drone Strikes, Blames Israel

Tehran and Baku are embroiled in a diplomatic dispute following drone strikes in Azerbaijan that injured two people. While Azerbaijan accuses Iran of a “groundless act of terror and aggression,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has denied any involvement, attributing the attacks to Israel.

Diplomatic Fallout and Conflicting Accusations

On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Jeyhun Bayramov, expressing regret for the drone strikes that caused injuries earlier in the day. However, Araghchi firmly denied that the drones originated from Iran, instead pointing the finger at Israel. According to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Araghchi suggested the attacks were a deliberate attempt to damage Iran’s relationship with Azerbaijan and mislead public opinion.

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has strongly condemned the strikes as a “groundless act of terror and aggression,” and announced plans for retaliatory measures. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry reported that the strikes targeted an airport and an area near a school, resulting in two injuries.

Iran’s Broader Regional Tensions

The incident occurs amidst heightened regional tensions, with Iran facing accusations of indiscriminate attacks using missiles and drones. While Araghchi has repeatedly stated that Iran’s targets are limited to U.S. And Israeli interests, the recent actions have strained relations with neighboring Gulf states, some of whom had previously maintained close ties with Iran and assisted in negotiations with the United States.

Azerbaijan’s Response and Airspace Closure

In response to the drone strikes, Azerbaijan temporarily closed a portion of its southern airspace along its border with Iran for at least 12 hours. This closure reflects the escalating tensions and Azerbaijan’s commitment to safeguarding its airspace.

Araghchi’s Previous Accusations

This is not the first time Iran has accused Israel of orchestrating attacks to destabilize the region. In a recent interview with Fox News, Araghchi alleged an “Israeli plot” was responsible for any casualties during recent protests within Iran.

Recent Developments

According to a report from AP News, Iran remains defiant, with Araghchi accusing the U.S. Navy of committing an “atrocity at sea” for sinking the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean, resulting in at least 87 deaths. He warned of repercussions, stating, “Mark my words: The U.S. Will come to bitterly regret (the) precedent it has set.”

Further complicating the situation, Informat.ro reports that Iran believes Israel is attempting to damage its relations with Azerbaijan.