Former Iranian FM appears to accuse Azerbaijan of aiding Israeli operations, analyst says

Iran’s former foreign minister, now a lawmaker representing Tehran, has appeared to level serious accusations against Azerbaijan during remarks aired on Iranian state television, Iran specialist Vardan Voskanyan says.

Manouchehr Mottaki suggested that, based on expert assessments, Israeli strikes targeting northern Iran may have made use of Azerbaijani airspace. He also referenced reports alleging that Israeli aircraft may have accessed Azerbaijani airports, including for refueling purposes.

Writing on social media on Tuesday, Voskanyan noted that similar allegations have been circulating widely across Iran’s media landscape at multiple levels, contributing to a shift in public sentiment.

“The continued flow of such claims within Iran’s information sphere is shaping a public atmosphere that could ultimately influence Tehran’s official position on the barbaric Baku regime in the postwar period,” Voskanyan said, adding that the development may complicate efforts by the Azerbaijani authorities to maintain a restrained diplomatic posture despite underlying tensions.