On March 5, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, spoke at a Security Council meeting regarding the attack on Nakhchivan. The President directly called the attack a “terrorist act”:
“Today, a terrorist act was carried out against the territory of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani state by Iran. The territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic was targeted with fire from unmanned aerial vehicles by the Iranian state. The targets were civilian objects. Nakhchivan International Airport, its terminal building, schools, and other areas were subjected to cowardly fire from Iran. The Azerbaijani state strongly condemns this vile terrorist act, and those responsible must be held accountable immediately. Iranian officials must provide explanations to the Azerbaijani side, apologize, and those who carried out this terrorist act must face criminal responsibility.”
“Not the first incident”
The President recalled that this is not the first such attack, citing the previous armed attack on Azerbaijan’s embassy in Tehran:
“This is not the first time that the Iranian state has carried out terrorist acts against Azerbaijan and Azerbaijanis. We all remember that some time ago, the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran was targeted in a terrorist act. The person who attacked the embassy was instructed by Iranian special services and committed a bloody act of terror against Azerbaijani citizens. As a result, one citizen was killed and another seriously injured.”
He emphasized that there is no doubt that the Iranian state was behind that incident:
“At that time, we had no doubt that Iran was behind it. The attack lasted about 40 minutes, both inside and around the embassy. During those 40 minutes, not a single security or police officer approached the embassy. It was clear that this terrorist act was ordered from the highest levels of Iran’s state institutions to intimidate Azerbaijan and carry out their vile actions against us.”
The President noted that Azerbaijan reacted strongly and severed diplomatic relations:
“As you know, Azerbaijan reacted very strongly, evacuated its embassy from Iran, and suspended all diplomatic relations. Iran was forced to apologize and admit its guilt. The person responsible for that terrorist act was given the harshest punishment at our insistence. Even though Iran initially showed no interest in enforcing the sentence and tried to save the criminal, they were forced to execute the terrorist in front of Azerbaijani representatives.”
“We will not tolerate”
Ilham Aliyev emphasized that this time as well, a response will be carried out:
“The response will be the same this time. We will not tolerate this baseless terrorist act and aggression against Azerbaijan. Our Armed Forces have been instructed to prepare and implement retaliatory measures.”
He stressed that Azerbaijani territory will not be used against any neighboring country:
“We have repeatedly informed Iran, especially after last year’s clashes, that Azerbaijani territory will not be used against any neighboring country. We will not allow it, just as we never have.”
“The Azerbaijani state is also a place of hope for many Azerbaijanis living in Iran”
He also strongly criticized Iran’s state media for its smear campaigns against Azerbaijan, saying these actions are deliberate:
“During last summer and afterward, Iran directed baseless accusations at us. State-controlled Iranian media carried out vile smear campaigns against Azerbaijan to tarnish its image and influence the opinions of Azerbaijanis living in Iran. They know well that today, an independent Azerbaijani state is also a place of hope for many Azerbaijanis in Iran. Their goal was to defame and discredit us in front of the Iranian public. Azerbaijan has never participated and will never participate in operations against Iran. Our policy does not allow or support any operations against neighboring countries.”
The President stressed that Azerbaijan is ready to respond to any aggression:
“We protect and have always protected our territorial integrity. Just as we ended Armenia’s occupation, we are ready to show our strength against any hostile force. Iran must not forget this. This terrorist act, along with other vile actions, is a clear example of ingratitude.”
“The perpetrators of this terror will face regret”
He also described diplomatic measures taken:
“As soon as the incident occurred, we sent a message of condolences. Our Foreign Minister spoke with his counterpart under my instruction. I personally visited their embassy to express condolences. No other head of state has done this. Ignoring this, belittling it, or behaving disgracefully does not honor anyone. Those shameless people who carried out this terrorist act against us will regret it. They should not test our strength. Those who did in the past faced our ‘Iron Fist.’ Today’s incident will have the same outcome. A plan of action has been prepared. All instructions have been given. Iran’s ambassador to Azerbaijan was summoned to the Foreign Ministry, a protest note will be issued, and other diplomatic steps will be taken. Appropriate instructions regarding the border have been given.”
The President added that Azerbaijan also assisted Iran with a request for help:
“This morning, I was informed that the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister called Baku, asking Azerbaijan to help evacuate Iranian embassy staff remaining in Lebanon, as they had no means to do so. I immediately instructed that help be provided, including sending a plane. They even offered to pay, but I said it was unnecessary—when should we help if not in such difficult times?”
“Despite all this, they cowardly and vilely struck Nakhchivan?! The stain of this action will never be erased from their ugly and vile image. Therefore, all necessary measures will be taken through diplomatic channels,” said Ilham Aliyev.
“The armed forces must be ready for any operation”
He also spoke about military and border measures:
“Our Armed Forces, including the Ministry of Defense, the State Border Service, and all Special Forces, have been put on the highest level of readiness and must be prepared for any operation.”
“We will inform the Azerbaijani people about the developments. The Ministry of Defense’s statement has already been published in the press. The people of Azerbaijan should be confident that any malicious force will face our ‘Iron Fist,’” said Ilham Aliyev.
Earlier today, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Foreign Affairs released statements regarding drone attacks from Iranian territory on Nakhchivan. According to official reports, one drone targeted the airport, while others targeted civilian facilities. It was emphasized that the attack will not go unanswered, and Iran is being demanded to provide an explanation.
Meanwhile, Iran, through both Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Qaribabadi and the General Staff of the Armed Forces, claimed that the attacks were not carried out by Iran but by Israel to create tension in the region.
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