Israel’s unilateral strike on Iran has triggered strong reaction in South Caucasus countries of Armenia and Azerbaijan that share border with Iran and have close ties with both countries.
Israel attacked Iran on June 13, targeting military facilities, Nazan nuclear facility, and killing dozens number of senior military officials and nuclear scientists.
Armenia condemns Israeli attack
Armenian Foreign Ministry, senior officials as well as Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan condemned the Israeli attack on Friday.
Speaking from the Czech Republic where he was attending a forum, Pashinyan said Israel's attack "puts the fragile stability that had taken shape in the region into question. We are very concerned.” Armenia’s Foreign Ministry has called for the immediate cessation of hostilities and compliance with international law. “A unilateral strike on Iran causes deep concern. The attack took place on the eve of the next round of talks jeopardizing peace efforts as well as regional stability and global peace,” the ministry said in a statement.
Furthermore, Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan stated that the Iran-Israel war threatened Armenia and the entire Middle East region. “The main threat to Armenia’s security remains the classic threat - a military one, not just within Armenia but across the region. Armenia continues its efforts to contribute to regional stability.”
Azerbaijan concerned with situation
Azerbaijan also expressed concerns over the current situation, but stopped short of condemning Israel’s unilateral attack. In a statement on June 13, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said it was “concerned by the military operation” carried out by Israel on Iran’s territory. The ministry condemned the escalation of the situation, urged the parties to engage in a dialogue to resolve their differences. On Friday evening, Azerbaijani Defence Ministry expressed condolences over the death of Mohammad Hosein Bagheri, the Chief of the General Staff of Iranian Armed Forces.
‘I am deeply saddened by the news of the death of Mohammad Hosein Bagheri, whom I knew personally and who was always distinguished by his professionalism and good moments, and who will remain in my memory with warm memories’, Hasanov stated.
Spy allegations
Meanwhile, Azerbaijani presidential aide Hikmat Hajiyev dismissed allegations that Baku had sent agents to Iran on behalf of Israel. "Certain media and social media accounts have recently circulated entirely unfounded and fabricated claims suggesting that Azerbaijan has recruited ethnic Azerbaijanis as agents and deployed them into Iran on behalf of Israel," Hajiyev said on X. "We categorically reject such fake news and baseless accusations," he stressed.
Azerbijani state news agency Azertag also addressed rumors about Azerbaijani aircraft allegedly crossing to Iran amid Israel’s attacks.
“Amid the deterioration of Israeli–Iranian relations, false information is being spread in the foreign segment of social networks that an Azerbaijani military aircraft allegedly crossed the border with Iran’, Azertag wrote on Friday. Azertag said such reports are “prepared for the purpose of information manipulation, is fake, and does not correspond to reality at all.”
Earlier, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Ceyhun Bayramov told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi that Baku will not allow its territory to be used in strikes on Iran. Its should be noted that Azerbaijan shares a 689 km border with Iran.
