On January 27, at about 8:30 AM (Baku time), an armed attack on the Azerbaijani Embassy in Iran took place. Azerbaijani government-controlled media blames Iran and accuses the Iranian side of conducting a terrorist attack on the Azerbaijani Embassy in Iran. According to the information received by Caliber.az, the Iranian side, trying to cover its tracks and distract everybody's attention, mentions the alleged Armenian, which is an outright lie and an attempt to mislead the Azerbaijani public. 

Also, many Azerbaijani police officers now protect the Iranian Embassy in Azerbaijan from attacks. The police do not allow people to approach the embassy's front door while Azerbaijani people are outraged by the attack. The attack also sparked harsh criticism from Azerbaijani MPs and other officials, who blamed Iran for “standing behind the attack”.

According to the information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, the attacker armed with a Kalashnikov rifle killed the head of the security service. Two security guards of the embassy were also injured while preventing the attack. Their condition is satisfactory.

"Currently, an investigation is underway into this treacherous attack," the ministry said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan issued a statement about the terrorist attack against the country's embassy in Iran. The document states that the ministry strongly condemns the treacherous terrorist attack against the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Iran.

"We are of the opinion that the recent anti-Azerbaijani campaign against our country in Iran has encouraged such attacks against our diplomatic mission. We strongly demand that the perpetrators of the mentioned terrorist attack by Iran, as well as those who ordered this bloody act, be identified as soon as possible and punished in the most severe manner. The Azerbaijani side will use all the opportunities provided by the relevant international mechanisms to ensure that the culprits are identified and receive a decent punishment. In the situation that occurred as a result of the terrorist attack, it is planned to take appropriate measures to evacuate the employees of the embassy and their family members," the statement said.

Iranian state agency confirmed that one person was killed and two others were injured during the attack on the embassy of Azerbaijan in Tehran on January 27 by an unknown person, referring to the Tehran police.

According to the police, an unknown person attacked the embassy of Azerbaijan in Tehran in the morning. "He fired at the security post of the diplomatic mission... As a result of the attack, one person died, and two others were injured. It is reported that the condition of the injured is stable. The police arrested an unknown person, and an investigation is underway. She entered the embassy with her two children. During the preliminary investigation, it was revealed that his motivation was related to personal and family problems," Tehran police added. Later it was revealed that the arrested person is an Iranian citizen.

Moreover, the Tehran Criminal Court prosecutor said that during the preliminary investigation, the accused claimed that in April of last year, his wife went to the embassy of Azerbaijan in Tehran and did not return home. The court official added that he has applied to the embassy in Tehran many times and has not received any response. "That person said he thought his wife was hiding in the embassy and did not want to meet him. The prosecutor quoted the attacker: "This morning, I decided to go to the embassy with the Kalashnikov assault rifle I already bought." He further said that the assailant told court officials the motive for the attack on the embassy was completely personal," the prosecutor emphasized.

In turn, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev shared on his Twitter account about the attack on the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Tehran. "I strongly condemn the terrorist act committed against our Embassy in Tehran today. I offer my deepest condolences to the family and relatives of Senior Lieutenant Asgarov Orkhan Rizvan oghlu, who died while protecting the embassy and embassy staff," he said. The president demanded an immediate investigation of the terrorist act and the swift punishment of the terrorists. This statement was backed by the US State Department: “We echo President Aliyev’s call for a prompt investigation into this unacceptable violence. We offer our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who were killed and injured today. Any attack against diplomats or diplomatic facilities anywhere is unacceptable. We remind the Government of Iran of its responsibility under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations to protect foreign diplomats in Iran.”

Furthermore, the State Security Service of Azerbaijan announced that a criminal case had been initiated in connection with the terrorist act committed against the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Iran. It is stated in the information that regarding the fact in the State Security Service of Azerbaijan, 12.2 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan (the validity of the criminal law for crimes committed outside the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan), 120.2.1 (a group of persons, a group of persons who colluded in advance, an organized gang or a criminal association (organization)), 12.2, 120.2.4, 12.2, 120.2.11, 12.2, 29, 120.2.7, 12.3, 214.2.1 (terrorism), 12.3, 214.2.3 and 12.2, 228.2.1 (illegal possession of weapons.)

Also, Iran appointed a new Police Chief for Tehran following an armed attack on the Azerbaijani embassy in the capital. However, it was unclear if the attack influenced the appointment. Abbas-Ali Mohammadian has been named the new police commander of Tehran, replacing Hossein Rahimi, who will now head a police department tasked with countering economic crimes.

Iranian ambassador in Azerbaijan summoned to the foreign ministry

On January 27, Seyid Abbas Mousavi, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Republic of Azerbaijan, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan in connection with the terrorist attack against the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

At the meeting, it was emphasized that the armed raid against the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Tehran, the act of terrorism, was strongly condemned and that such attacks against diplomatic missions were unacceptable.

"The competent authorities of Iran strongly demanded that the perpetrator of the terrorist act be brought to justice as soon as possible, a thorough investigation of the terrorist act, identification, and punishment of other participants involved in the organization and commission of the crime," the information added.

"At the meeting, it was also brought to the attention of the regret that a planned anti-Azerbaijani campaign was conducted against our country in Iran recently and that what happened further strained the already complicated relations," it said.

Iranian ambassador Seyyed Abbas Mousavi strongly condemned the armed incident against the Azerbaijani embassy and said that he was deeply saddened by what happened, and expressed his deepest condolences to the family of the embassy employee, as well as to the government and people of Azerbaijan.

At the meeting, the ambassador also stressed that the relevant authorities of Iran immediately responded to the incident and that the relevant law enforcement agencies are currently investigating the issue; detailed information will be released to the public after the investigation process is completed.

Iranian Embassy in Azerbaijan

After the armed attack on the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran, numerous journalists and activists in Azerbaijan gathered in front of the Iranian Embassy in Baku. Even though the journalists waited for hours, the representative of the Iranian Embassy did not appear in front of them and make a statement. According to him, Hikmat Babaoğlu, the Coordinator of Parliamentarians of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, made a statement to journalists in front of the Iranian embassy building.

He said that the terrorist incident should be condemned. "Undoubtedly, the Iranian state must understand its responsibility and explain the incident clearly, logically, and satisfactorily. Some time ago, a similar incident happened against the Azerbaijani embassy in Great Britain. Statements were made that would reduce this issue to a household level. They linked it with radical groups of Iranian origin. But this was not a satisfactory explanation. Now the incident must find its own clear and logical explanation," he said. 

Babaoğlu emphasized, "Moreover, this incident should be considered as an incident committed not only against the Azerbaijani embassy but against Azerbaijan as a whole because the embassy of each country in another country is considered the territory of that country. I think that because there is no public trust in the official statements of Iran in Azerbaijan, the experts of Azerbaijan should also be involved in the process of investigating and conducting the investigation of the terrorist incident so that we have clear ideas about why and how the incident happened."

It is important to note that Hikmat Babaoğlu is one of the influential politicians in Azerbaijani politics and especially in the ruling team.

International reaction

The Embassy of the United States in Azerbaijan expressed its deep sorrow to the colleagues working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and their family members regarding the tragic incident that happened in the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Tehran. "We offer our condolences to the family of Orkhan Askerov, who lost his life during the incident, and wish the injured a speedy recovery," the US Embassy said on its Facebook page.

The statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey condemned the armed attack on the embassy of Azerbaijan in Tehran. "Turkey, which suffered similar attacks before, understands and shares the pain of the Azerbaijani people. It is of utmost importance that those responsible for this despicable attack are immediately found and brought to justice and that all necessary measures are taken to prevent a recurrence. Brother Azerbaijan is never alone. Our support to Azerbaijan will continue uninterrupted, as always," the document stated.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry also condemned the armed attack on the embassy of Azerbaijan in Iran. Oleg Nikolenko, the Press Secretary of Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shared this on Twitter. "Ukraine strongly condemns the attack on the embassy of Azerbaijan in Tehran today, which resulted in the death of one person and the wounding of several security personnel. We offer our deepest condolences to the relatives of the victim and wish the injured a speedy recovery," he stressed.

Lior Haiat, the Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, condemned the attack on the Azerbaijani Embassy in Iran on his Twitter account. "We were shocked and saddened by the treacherous attack on the embassy of Azerbaijan in Tehran, which resulted in the killing of the security chief. We offer our deepest condolences to the people and government of Azerbaijan, to the family of the deceased, and wish the injured a speedy recovery," he said.

Fergus Auld, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Azerbaijan, posted on Twitter about the attack on the Azerbaijani Embassy in Iran. "I was shocked by the news of an armed attack on the embassy of Azerbaijan in Iran and the killing of an embassy employee. I offer my condolences to the family of the murdered person, I wish recovery to the injured," he said.

Peter Michalko, the head of the European Union (EU) Representation in Azerbaijan, condemned the attack on the embassy. "I was horrified by the news about the casualties and injuries as a result of the armed attack on the embassy of Azerbaijan in Tehran. Attacks on diplomatic missions are unacceptable. I offer my condolences to the family of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery," the ambassador said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia expressed deep condolences to the Azerbaijani side regarding the attack on the Azerbaijani embassy in Iran. "We hope those responsible for the attack on the embassy will be brought to justice. The incident reaffirms the importance of ensuring the safe functioning of diplomatic missions by the state's authorities hosting them, in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of April 18, 1961," the information added.

Also, Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, commented on the Telegram channel and said she was shocked by the incident. She shared the video of the terrorist attack on the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran. She wrote the comment: "The guard of the Azerbaijani embassy fought like a lion."

Germany's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Ralf Horlemann wrote on his Twitter account that he was shocked by the news of the deadly attack on Azerbaijan's embassy in Iran and condemned any kind of violence. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims," he said.

The "Tractor" football team of Tabriz, the Azerbaijani-inhabited city of Iran, issued a statement condemning the attack on the Azerbaijani Embassy in Iran. "Brother bears the pain of brother. We strongly condemn the terrorist attack on the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran. End terrorism!" the statement said.