Pezeshkian ‘urges' Aliyev to investigate if Israel used Azerbaijani territory to attack Iran
Join the voices Aliyev wants to silence.
For over eight years, OC Media has worked with fearless journalists from Azerbaijan — some of whom now face decades behind bars — to bring you the stories the regime is afraid will get out.
Help us fuel Aliyev's fears — become an OC Media member today
Become a member
Azerbaijan, Iran, Israel, Azerbaijan-Iran relations, Azerbaijan-Israel relations
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has 'urged' his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev to investigate if Israel used Azerbaijani territory to launch attacks on Iran.
According to an official Iranian statement, Pezeshkian and Aliyev spoke on the phone on Thursday, during which Pezeshkian 'called for the investigation and verification of reports suggesting that [Israeli] drones and micro air vehicles may have utilised Azerbaijan's airspace to carry out attacks in Iran'.
Nonetheless, the Iranian readout of the call said that Pezeshkian fell short of outright accusing Azerbaijan, and also added several conciliatory messages towards Baku, including that Pezeshkian had 'thanked the Azerbaijani government and nation for their support and solidarity with Iran during the aggression by [Israel]'.
In turn, according to the Iranian statement, Aliyev 'expressed regret over [Israel's] aggression', and 'unequivocally condemned the strikes and reaffirmed that it will not permit its airspace to be exploited against [Iran], adding that Azerbaijan maintains full control and sovereignty over its skies'.
Aliyev also 'denied rumors about the Israeli regime's use of Azerbaijan's airspace for attacking Iran, stating that the Azerbaijani government absolutely does not allow its skies to be used against friendly and brotherly neighbour', the Iranian statement continued.
The official Azerbaijani statement on the phone call was markedly different in content, with no mention of Pezeshkian's calls for Baku to investigate.
Advertisement
'President Ilham Aliyev reiterated Azerbaijan's position regarding the recent confrontation between Iran and Israel and voiced the country's concern over rising tensions in the region', the statement read.
'The Azerbaijani leader congratulated President Pezeshkian on achieving a ceasefire and halting the Iran-Israel confrontation, underlining the importance of peace and stability for the region. President Pezeshkian expressed his gratitude for the condolences', the statement continued, with the rest of it containing pleasantries about the need for ongoing bilateral cooperation.
Pezeshkian's calls to investigate were the most explicit comments on the swirling accusations coming from Iran in recent weeks following the unprecedented escalation between Iran and Israel, which saw both sides exchanging missile fire.
Given the nature of the Israeli attacks, and the apparent presence of Israeli security forces within Iran before the beginning of the strikes, many have speculated that Azerbaijan may have been involved, particularly given Baku's close relations with Tel Aviv.
As the accusations mounted, Azerbaijani presidential aide Hikmat Hajiyev took to Twitter, calling them 'entirely unfounded and fabricated'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
OC Media
a day ago
- OC Media
Abkhazian and Syrian foreign ministers discuss trade in Damascus
Sign in or or Become a member to unlock the audio version of this article Join the voices Aliyev wants to silence. For over eight years, OC Media has worked with fearless journalists from Azerbaijan — some of whom now face decades behind bars — to bring you the stories the regime is afraid will get out. Help us fuel Aliyev's fears — become an OC Media member today Become a member Abkhazian Foreign Minister Oleg Bartsits has met with his Syrian counterpart Assad al-Shaibani in Damascus where they discussed developing trade via the sea. While Abkhazia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement on the visit, neither the Syrian Foreign Ministry nor official Syrian news agencies have reported on it. The two foreign ministers met in Damascus on Thursday. According to a statement issued by the Abkhazian Foreign Ministry, the two discussed Abkhazian–Syrian cooperation and current affairs. Bartsits thanked al-Shaibani for his warm welcome and Syria's 'clear and unambiguous position' on issues pertaining to Abkhazia. The two additionally discussed developing transport and logistics infrastructure using sea ports to create 'preconditions for the development of trade and business'. In the statement, the ministry announced that Abkhazia would be taking part in the 62nd Damascus International Fair between 27 August and 5 September. Following the meeting, Bartsits 'presented valuable gifts' to al-Shaibani and invited him to visit Abkhazia — an invitation he also extended to Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Advertisement Syria under former President Bashar al-Assad, a key ally of Moscow, was one of the handful of countries to have recognised Abkhazia and South Ossetia's independence. However, since the fall of al-Assad's regime, Georgia appears to have increased diplomatic efforts to persuade Syria to drop its recognition of the two. According to the Georgian Parliament, the chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, Nikoloz Samkharadze, met with his Turkish counterpart Fuat Oktay on 18 June, during which he provided Oktay with 'an update on the situation in the occupied regions of Georgia and asked for his assistance in mediating with the newly formed Syrian government' to recall its recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In early June, The UN's General Assembly passed a resolution calling for the right of return for internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Abkhazia and South Ossetia, with a record number of 107 countries voting in favour. Syria, which had routinely voted against the resolution during the regime of al-Assad, abstained.
OC Media
a day ago
- OC Media
Georgian Parliament passes new amendments to migration laws
Sign in or or Become a member to unlock the audio version of this article Join the voices Aliyev wants to silence. For over eight years, OC Media has worked with fearless journalists from Azerbaijan — some of whom now face decades behind bars — to bring you the stories the regime is afraid will get out. Help us fuel Aliyev's fears — become an OC Media member today Become a member The Georgian Parliament has approved a legislative package of amendments that mainly concern foreigners who commit crimes or overstay, as well as the procedure for obtaining asylum. The legislative package of amendments concerning international protection, authored by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, was unanimously adopted on Thursday. Alongside other laws, the amendments also affected the criminal code and the code of administrative offences. According to the amendments, a new type of punishment will be added to the Georgian criminal code, requiring the expulsion of a foreigner from Georgia and a ban on entry into Georgia for a specific period of time. Similarly, a new administrative penalty will be introduced in the code of administrative offences, featuring the same punishment. Deportation of foreigners is foreseen for a period of two to ten years for minor criminal offences, and for five to twenty years or indefinitely for serious and especially serious crimes. Under the newly adopted law, the decision on deportation will be made by the court. As for administrative offenses, the period of deportation ranges from six months to five years. For example, deportation for a period of up to three years is allowed for petty hooliganism, disobedience to the Georgian police, and insulting an officeholder. These articles are frequently used to arrest and fine government critics in Georgia. In administrative matters too, the court will be required to make the decision. Both the amendments to the criminal and administrative codes specify that deportation shall not be applied to foreigners when they are deported to a country where they are persecuted, including for their political beliefs, as well as for reasons related to peacekeeping, 'progressive social and political' activities, scientific and creative work. The risk of life and health or potential torture are among the exceptions as well. In addition, the amendments will increase fines for foreigners who violate the rules of stay in the country, while the procedure for deporting foreigners residing illegally in Georgia will be simplified. Advertisement According to the ministry, the proposed amendments will also introduce a new mechanism under which, 'in cases where a foreigner's entry into the country poses a threat to national security, their asylum application will be reviewed at the Georgian state border without allowing them to enter the territory'. Among the amendments, the ministry also highlighted the reduction of deadlines for reviewing and appealing asylum applications, as well as the restriction of residence permits for foreigners against whom deportation proceedings have been initiated or a decision to deport from Georgia has been made. The ministry previously stated that the amendments were prepared to 'improve the fight against illegal migration and refine regulations related to the granting of asylum'. They additionally claimed that the legislation was developed with the directives of the European Parliament and Council. Some of the legislative amendments will enter into force upon publication, while others take effect in the fall of 2025 — including the changes to the Administrative and Criminal Codes, coming into effect on 1 October. Currently, citizens from over 90 countries receive visa-free entry to Georgia for a period of one year, which resets every time one leaves the country and reenters. There are also few ostensible restrictions on what one can do in Georgia within the one-year period, whether that be traveling, working, or studying.
OC Media
a day ago
- OC Media
US Border Patrol announces arrest of suspected Georgian underworld figure in New York City
Join the voices Aliyev wants to silence. For over eight years, OC Media has worked with fearless journalists from Azerbaijan — some of whom now face decades behind bars — to bring you the stories the regime is afraid will get out. Help us fuel Aliyev's fears — become an OC Media member today Become a member The US Border Patrol (USBP) has announced that a Georgian national has been arrested in New York City after federal agents 'uncovered damning intel exposing him as a serious public safety threat'. The USBP said that the individual, who was not named but shown with his face uncovered in a photo, had been previously removed from the US and now faces deportation again. 'The man arrived in the US in 2023, claiming credible fear — it's more like he was running from his shady past', the USBP said on Facebook. In addition to two arrests for theft while in the US in 2024, the individual reportedly has an extensive criminal history abroad — the USBP said he had previously been convicted of human trafficking in Greece, and had served nine years of a subsequent 25-year prison sentence. He is also the 'leader of a criminal organisation', although the USBP did not specify which one. Beyond his criminal connections, the USBP said he had 'admitted to working with the Russian KGB'. It is unclear what exactly the USBP meant, as there is no such agency as the 'Russian KGB' — it is a Soviet era name that has not been in use in Russia since 1991. However, in small print at the bottom of the accompanying post was the official reason for his arrest — 're-entry after removal' — the direct connection between his criminal history and his detention was specified, nor why he is considered a 'serious public safety threat'. Since the inauguration of President Donald Trump's second term in January 2025, the US has aggressively cracked down on illegal immigration, leading to the arrest and deportation of tens of thousands of people.
