"Iran War" Spills Over to the South Caucasus: Azerbaijan Claims Foiling Terrorist Attacks by Iran Targeting a Synagogue and the Israeli Embassy

The authorities said at least seven Azerbaijani citizens were detained; the plot was also alleged to include attacks on Jewish community leaders and pipelines that serve Israeli oil imports.

Baku - Azerbaijan said on Friday that it had foiled a series of Iranian terrorist attacks on its territory, including attacks on the Israeli embassy in Baku, a synagogue, and Jewish community leaders.

Azerbaijan's Jewish population is estimated to be between 7,000 and 10,000 people.

Just a day after Azerbaijan accused Iran of launching drones toward its border areas, Baku made these allegations. The incident has raised concerns about the spread of the Middle East war to the Caucasus region.

The Azerbaijani Security Service stated in a video statement that they "prevented a terrorist attack and intelligence operation organized by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran within Azerbaijan."

The statement also noted that one of the targeted objectives was the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, which passes through the neighboring countries of Georgia and Turkey, transporting about one-third of Israel's oil imports.

The Iranian Armed Forces General Staff stated that this attack was not carried out by Iran and instead blamed Israel.

Iran has long been concerned that Israel - a close ally of Azerbaijan and major arms supplier - might use Azerbaijani territory to launch attacks against it. Historically, Tehran has been wary of separatist sentiments among the Azeri ethnic group within Iran.

Aliyev rarely speaks so clearly about the Azeris in Iran, and his current statements seem to be well-considered.

Iran is not only facing immense pressure from war but also internal unrest and political uncertainty. Aliyev's remarks are a warning to Tehran: any attempt to exert military or diplomatic pressure on Azerbaijan could lead to a response from Baku, which may include actions that affect the stability within Iran.

For centuries, some kings of Iran were also Azeris.

One of Iran's most influential rulers, King Ismail I, even made Azerbaijani the official language of the court in the 16th century - a reminder of how deeply Azerbaijani culture once influenced the Iranian state.

Azerbaijan's relationship with Israel goes beyond security. Israel heavily relies on Azerbaijani oil, and the two countries maintain close political and intelligence cooperation.

For Tehran, this cooperation is at the core of its concerns.

Azerbaijan has long been dissatisfied with Iran's political and military support for its neighbor Armenia, viewing it as direct interference in a conflict that is crucial to its own security.

This long-standing mistrust is an important context for the escalation of the situation on Thursday and influences how Baku interprets every move from Tehran.

Iran opposes the establishment of a land connection between Azerbaijan and its Nakhchivan exclave. Tehran has consistently opposed the possibility of Armenia allowing Azerbaijan access to the region via a land route.

Aliyev insisted that Azerbaijan "will not participate" in military actions against Iran, while Tehran continues to deny responsibility for the drone attack incident.

Now, he said, Iran has repaid his goodwill with a drone attack on Azerbaijani territory, which he considers a deep betrayal.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Moscow called on Iran and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint following the drone incident in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

In the official comments made by the spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Zakharova, regarding the events in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, it was stated: "Regarding the tensions emerging between Azerbaijan and Iran, we call on both parties - our strategic partners - to demonstrate maximum restraint, avoid hasty measures, and not create new lines of division in the region, damaging the principles of good neighborliness."

The comment stated: "In such a tense situation, it is crucial to carefully verify all details of any event that could further escalate the situation."

Zakharova pointed out in her comments that the responsibility for the drone incident in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic should fall on the aggressor and its accomplices.

On March 5, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry stated that a drone attack was launched from Iran against the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, resulting in four injuries. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran did not send drones towards Azerbaijan and that the Iranian armed forces are investigating the incident.

Sources: Reports compiled by sputnik, bbc, timesofisrael, and euronews

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Original: toutiao.com/article/1859028379089924/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.