Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry dismissed international reports alleging Israeli military or intelligence operations from Azerbaijani territory as "completely groundless." Spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada said authorities have seen no evidence but would review any credible proof if provided. The claims — based on anonymous sources — remain unverified by either Azerbaijan or Israel. Tensions between Baku and Tehran flared after drone strikes on Nakhchivan on 5 March that injured four civilians and prompted a temporary diplomatic withdrawal.
Azerbaijan Denies Claims Israel Operated From Its Territory Against Iran, Calls Allegations "Completely Groundless"
Azerbaijan denies claims of Israel using its soil in operations against Iran
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry on Friday rejected international media reports that alleged Israeli military or intelligence personnel operated from Azerbaijani territory during the ongoing conflict involving Iran, calling the accounts "completely groundless."
Aykhan Hajizada, the ministry's spokesperson and head of its press service, told Euronews:
"We categorically reject those particular claims mentioned in the article. Azerbaijan has never provided its territory for any malign actions against any third country, including Iran."
Hajizada said Azerbaijani authorities have seen no evidence to support the reports and reiterated that the government would consider credible proof if it were presented. He emphasised that "so far there is no evidence" and stressed Azerbaijan's commitment to not allowing its territory to be used against neighbouring or friendly countries.
Context And Verification
The media stories that prompted the denial were attributed to anonymous sources and, according to available information, have not been confirmed by either Azerbaijan or Israel. No independent evidence has been made public to substantiate the claims. Euronews has contacted the Israeli government for comment.
Regional Tensions
Azerbaijan shares a roughly 700-kilometre border with Iran and has repeatedly stated it will not permit its territory to be used against neighbouring states. Tensions between Baku and Tehran rose earlier this month when Iranian drones struck Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan exclave on 5 March, damaging the terminal at Nakhchivan International Airport and dropping a drone near a school in the village of Shakarabad, injuring four civilians.
President Ilham Aliyev described the attack as "an act of terror," demanded an apology and called for accountability. Iran denied involvement and said it would investigate. In response to the strikes, Azerbaijan temporarily withdrew its diplomatic staff from Iran before gradually restoring ties in the following weeks.
Relations With Israel
Despite the denial, Azerbaijan has maintained close economic and security relations with Israel since the 1990s. Hajizada highlighted that Baku pursues a balanced, multi-vector foreign policy and has developed cooperation with both regional neighbours and partners, including Iran and Israel.
At present, the allegations remain unverified and publicly available evidence has not been presented to corroborate the reports that prompted Azerbaijan's statement.
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