“Iran must understand that speaking with Azerbaijan in the language of threats, it will harm only itself”

On November 14, the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Iran Ali Alizadeh was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran and where he was handed a note of protest, the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, Nasser Kanaani Chafi told reporters.  According to him, the note of protest was filed in connection with the "criminal activities" of Azerbaijani citizens in Iran. He stated that evidence was presented to the Ambassador to support these allegations.

However, for some reason, this information was not given a place in the main media bodies of Azerbaijan. This information was confirmed to other local media bodies by the head of the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Ayhan Hajizade. However, he did not comment on the text of the official statement.

After that, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Huseyn Amir Abdullahyan had a telephone conversation. The parties stated the need to resolve the situation that has recently arisen in relations between the two countries, concerns about public rhetoric and other existing problems within the framework of mutual dialogue and understanding.

This is the second protest of Iran against Azerbaijan in a week. What does Iran want from Azerbaijan?

Political commentator Nasimi Mammadli answers ASTNA's questions.

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Question: For what reason can Iran send a note to Azerbaijan? According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani Chafi, the note of protest was sent in connection with the "criminal activities" of Azerbaijani citizens in Iran. What does he mean when he talks about the "criminal activities" of Azerbaijani citizens in Iran?

Answer: Iran is on the eve of an ideological, economic and deep social crisis. The moral and psychological balance in management is broken. He is acting very violently to quell the protests in the country. Peaceful people are ruthlessly killed in the streets, squares without trial, investigation, contrary to law and religion. But the tension doesn't subside. Iran, artificially exaggerating external factors, is trying to ensure internal stability. Society does not traditionally show a serious reaction to the threats of the United States and Israel. So he chose a new rhetorical goal. This target is mainly Azerbaijan and partly Turkey. Iran is conducting a kind of prophylaxis to prevent many millions of Turks from joining active political processes throughout the country.

Regarding your question, first of all, no country can be accused of breaking the laws of any other country. To accuse any state, there must be serious facts. If Iran had such facts, it would definitely announce them.

On the other hand, the vast majority of Azerbaijani citizens in Iran are recruited by the Iranian special services. The regime uses them against Azerbaijan in various ways. I do not rule out that Iran actually arrests a small part of its agents and, using them, “takes aim” at Azerbaijan. Here, too, two goals can be pursued.

Firstly, the regime is trying to form a public opinion in its country that the intelligence of Azerbaijanis has allegedly been exposed in Iran. Desiring, thereby, to nip in the bud the national revival, to lay the foundation for the persecution of national activists.

Secondly, when “bargaining” with Azerbaijan on the issue of intelligence, it must have falsified arguments. In addition, in this way they expect to be able to more reliably protect their agents and send them abroad in the future. Because in many countries, persons who are political prisoners in Iran are perceived as enemies of the regime.

Question: It should be noted that the State Security Service  (SSS) of Azerbaijan announced the exposure of the "intelligence network", which allegedly supplied Iran with information. Five people have been arrested in this case. Does not Iran see this or does not want to see it?

Answer: The published part of the operation carried out by the SSS clarified a number of points. Iran has created a certain agent network on the territory of Azerbaijan. Here people are recruited not only through religious and sectarian ideology, but also attracted to espionage for money. If we conduct a superficial observation through social networks, we will see that there are people and groups who openly sympathize with the Iranian regime, propagandize it, “armed” with special theses. The special services of Azerbaijan should work extensively in this direction, keep all suspicious cases under control. The Iranian regime should not work quietly here as before.

Question: What should be Azerbaijan's response to Iran?

Answer: It must demand detailed information about the crimes committed by Azerbaijani citizens, who were publicly arrested in Iran. They must ask for facts that can prove their connection with the official structures of Azerbaijan. Otherwise, what is said will be slander.

On the other hand, anyone with suspicious ties to Iran should be kept under strict surveillance. At the same time, issues related to the national rights of the many millions of Turks living in Iran should be constantly on the agenda and international initiatives should be taken.

Question: In general, there has been tension in relations between Iran and Azerbaijan lately. On November 11,  the Iranian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Seyid Abbas Mousavi was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,  and dissatisfaction and concern were brought to his attention in connection with the propaganda unfolding in the Iranian media, the slanderous campaign against the Republic of Azerbaijan, the rhetoric of high-ranking political and military officials of Iran threatening character that does not correspond to the spirit of relations between the two countries. On the same day, the Azerbaijani ambassador to Iran was summoned to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, where he was protested. What can these mutual “attacks” lead to?

Answer: A revolutionary process against the regime has already begun in Iran. To stop this process, the regime uses all means. It is necessary to bring security issues to the highest level, without waiting for the process to end. It is at this moment that all possible risks that may come from Iran should be deeply studied.

The authorities of Azerbaijan must clearly demonstrate that they are committed to the principles of good neighborliness with all neighbors, have never created and will not create conditions for a third state to act from its territory against Iran. Azerbaijan must also express its determination to use all international opportunities for its security. The Iranian regime must understand that speaking with Azerbaijan in the language of threats, it will only harm itself.

There is a very cruel regime in Iran that suppresses the rights and freedoms of its citizens. Appeals and actions to the Turks living there must be balanced. The processes in Iran must not be allowed to go out of their way. The division of political processes in Iran, by emphasizing a number of national-political factors at this stage, will only play into the hands of the regime.

Iran's friendship with Azerbaijan's enemy, Armenia, has completely discredited this country in the eyes of the Azerbaijani society. It is already quite difficult to return the Azerbaijani-Iranian relations to the previous level. The future of relations with a country that openly patronizes Armenia, creates an obstacle to peace and cooperation in the region, tries to create chaos in Azerbaijan will be adequate.

Question: In general, what is Iran seeking from Azerbaijan? Why is it hostile towards Azerbaijan? What is its goal?

Answer: The behavior of official Tehran shows that they are generally apprehensive about the very existence of Azerbaijan. Iran sees itself as a threat in secular, pursuing a strong, independent foreign policy, Azerbaijan. He is concerned that for the Turks living in Iran, Azerbaijan may become a center of attraction. At the same time, the process of transforming the organization of Turkic states into a new association has already begun in the region. New transport and energy corridors connecting Asia to Europe will be a serious impetus to development in this direction. Iran sees the future of this cooperation as a threat to itself.