Iranian official warns Azerbaijan, Turkey over facilitating US, Israeli attack routes - report

Iran's senior military advisor, Yahya Rahim Safavi, has warned Turkey and Azerbaijan against facilitating attacks on Iran, stating that Tehran would retaliate by targeting them if their territories are used for assaults. The warnings were delivered during recent talks between Iranian officials and their counterparts in Ankara and Baku.

Safavi explicitly stated that while Turkey and Azerbaijan are not Iran's targets, "there must be no attacks launched against us from their territory; otherwise, we will target them." These discussions followed an unspecified drone-related incident that Safavi characterized as a "clear provocation," prompting an internal investigation.

According to Azerbaijani media site News.AZ, Turkey assured Iran that the Incirlik Air Base, which hosts U.S. Air Force and NATO aircraft, would not be utilized for attacks against Iran. Azerbaijan also reportedly informed Iranian officials that no U.S. or Israeli military bases are located within its territory.

These assurances come amid ongoing tensions and previous allegations. In June, an Iranian news outlet claimed that some attacks on Tehran and Karaj originated from the direction of the Caspian Sea, suggesting Azerbaijan might have been used as a route for Israeli drones or aircraft. Azerbaijan has consistently denied allowing its territory or airspace to be used against Iran.

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We explicitly stated that Turkey or Azerbaijan are not our targets. However, there must be no attacks launched against us from their territory; otherwise, we will target them.