Iran Denies Striking Azerbaijan, Claims Israel and Others Are Behind 'Silent' Provocation

Iranian authorities have strongly denied allegations that they were behind the drone strikes on Azerbaijan. Tehran instead accused others, including Israel, of potentially conducting provocation operations intended to draw Iran into conflict with its neighbours.

The position was voiced by Kazem Jalali, Iran’s ambassador to Russia, after Azerbaijani authorities reported a drone attack believed to originate from Iran targeting the terminal building of Nakhchivan International Airport. Another unmanned aircraft was said to have crashed near a school in a nearby village, injuring two civilians.

In an interview with Russian media RT, Jalali said the Iranian military had stressed that some drone strikes in the area may be directed by other parties. He cited a statement from the Iranian General Staff of the Armed Forces saying that in some cases ‘other parties directed the drones’. ‘We did not attack Nakhchivan, and there is no reason to carry out such an attack,’ Jalali said. ‘There is a possibility that the Zionist regime and other parties have carried out these actions to involve us with our neighbours,’ he added.

Iran emphasised that its military operations target only countries or locations hosting enemy military bases. It stressed that it has no intention of provoking a confrontation with neighbouring states.

Jalali also rejected the Pentagon’s claims that Iran is in a weakened military state following the joint US-Israel bombardment. The Pentagon had earlier stated that Iran was ‘very weak’ and even ‘no missiles left’ after the bombardment that began last Saturday.

According to Jalali, the statement was part of a propaganda strategy. He described the claims as part of a ‘psychological warfare’ intended ‘to push their own narrative.’

Previously, Azerbaijan’s government described the incident as a serious act and directly blamed Iran, calling the attack a ‘terrorist act’ and demanding an apology from Tehran. President Ilham Aliyev also said those responsible must be held accountable and vowed that Azerbaijan would retaliate.

He added that Azerbaijan would carry out retaliatory strikes against those deemed responsible.