Events Summary

On March 11, Abbas Mousavi, Iran's Ambassador to Azerbaijan, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and was presented with a corresponding note of protest.

The joint statement of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan stated that the Iranian military aircraft flew between the two countries at a distance of 3-5 kilometers from the state border and, in some cases, over the state border.

According to information, on March 11, an Iranian military plane flew continuously along the Azerbaijan-Iran state border from the Zangilan district to the Bilasuvar district and back from 09:44 [local time] to 10:26.

Recent developments

George Deek, the Israeli Ambassador to Azerbaijan, said that Tel Aviv would make every effort to protect and support Azerbaijan. Deek noted: "We will not hesitate to do everything in our power to strengthen Azerbaijan in the face of possible dangers. We support Azerbaijan with all our might."

On March 13, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani said: "The summoning of the Iranian ambassador to Azerbaijan to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of this country was related to the flight of the plane over the border of the two countries." He claimed this was a so-called flight over the Iran-Azerbaijani border and was carried out at a suitable distance to monitor Iran's borders.

Azerbaijani Ambassador to Israel Refutes Allegations About Azerbaijan Giving Foothold near Iran for Israel

Notably, on March 10, Mukhtar Mammadov, the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Israel, stated: "The return of diplomats from Iran does not mean the termination of relations." Mukhtar Mammadov refuted the report of the Israeli media about anti-Iranian cooperation between Baku and Tel Aviv. He emphasized that the return of Azerbaijani diplomats from Iran does not mean the termination of relations with Tehran.

It should be noted that "Haaretz" newspaper reported in the news published recently that Tel Aviv sold billions of dollars worth of military equipment to Azerbaijan "in exchange for oil and a foothold near Iran ."The Ambassador of Azerbaijan denied this news, called it a lie, and said: "The Republic of Azerbaijan has declared from the beginning that it will not interfere in the internal affairs of other states and will not allow its territory to be used against other states. Because we expect other states not to interfere in our internal affairs."

He also said he had no information about the number of weapons Azerbaijan bought from Israel and the cargo planes carrying these weapons. Saying that he does not understand why there is concern about the purchase of weapons from Israel, Ambassador Mammadov added: "Each country is responsible for the protection and defense of its territorial integrity and citizens, and Azerbaijan is no exception to this rule."