"Iran`s secret and open supporters in our country remain a source of danger"

Tensions between Iran and Azerbaijan are in the spotlight of the whole world and the international media. The tension, which lasted for more than a month, sometimes subsided but it has not ended.

Against the background of growing tensions between Iran and Azerbaijan in recent days, several social media accounts of the supporters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (SEPAH) have reported that a "Husseinists" resistance movement has been established in Azerbaijan.

Iran is constantly holding military trainings on the border with Azerbaijan and in the Caspian Sea. These trainings are not unequivocally welcomed by experts.

What is Iran's purpose? What does Iran want from Azerbaijan? What could be the outcome of the tension between the two countries?

Security expert Ilham Ismayil answered ASTNA's questions on the subject.

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Question: Ilham bey, why does Iran not give up its actions? What is its purpose?

Answer: It is not a new phenomenon that Iran does not give up on us, we have been targeted by Iran since the day we gained our independence. After Azerbaijan gained independence, its lands were occupied for 30 years, and this was a situation that pleased Iran. Weak Azerbaijan satisfied Iran. The outcome of the 44-day war and the strengthening of Azerbaijan in the region, its influence, as well as the proximity of Turkey and Pakistan to Azerbaijan, and Israel's friendly relations irritate Iran. Iran understands that it no longer has a say in the Caucasus region, so it wants to change the current situation in its favor by threatening Azerbaijan and going against our interests, and intends to justify itself by making excuses. There may be a change in some details of Iran's policy towards Azerbaijan; however, it will not affect its essence. Iran wants to keep Azerbaijan under constant threat, wants us to pursue a policy in accordance with its interests, and its biggest goal against us is to change the structure of a secular and civilized state and establish a sharia state.

Question: Against the background of growing tensions between Iran and Azerbaijan in recent days, several social network accounts of the supporters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (SEPAH) spread information about the establishment of the "Husseinists" resistance movement in Azerbaijan. Do you think that Iran can create any terror, incident, or threat in Azerbaijan through such groups?

Answer: The activities of such organizations created by Iran so far, especially Hezbollah, have been mainly ideological and terrorist in nature. Most of the organizations performed these two functions at the same time - they were engaged in the expansion of the Iranian Islamic Revolution to other Muslim countries, as well as in terrorist acts, intelligence, and sabotage. The Husseinists, established in Syria in 2019, is a similar organization. The flag of the "Husseinists" affiliated with SEPAH has an automatic weapon in the foreground, which shows that the main target of this militarized group is terrorism and armed struggle. Moreover, the presence of the coat of arms and the map of Azerbaijan on the flag shows that this group, which SEPAH wants to create in our country (perhaps created), is preparing to operate not on the ideological level but on the level of terrorism.

Question: Iran says that there are terrorists in Azerbaijan. Official Baku categorically denies the accusations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran that there are "terrorists" in Azerbaijan. A terrorist, the issue of terrorism can already warn of any dangers. Can Iran use this as an excuse to take any steps against Azerbaijan?

Answer: Iran's lies about the presence of terrorists in Azerbaijan are an excuse for its intervention through terrorism. The international community is well aware that the statements of Iran, which creates, supports, and finances terrorism all over the world, are a pretext. Why should we keep a terrorist group in our territory? So far, Azerbaijan has not been directly or indirectly mentioned in any terrorist incident. On the contrary, Azerbaijan has been a target of terrorism by Armenia and radical religious groups, including pro-Iranian Shiite radical groups, and it is felt that Iran intends to give a new impetus to this work with the Husseinists. Furthermore, it wants to justify itself among the Islamic countries by mentioning Israel. Iran simply cannot accept Azerbaijan's victory in the war and, as a result, its strengthening, the creation of a new reality in the South Caucasus, just as it has not been able to come to terms with our independence for 30 years. Iran has no place in the new geopolitical situation in the region and does not want to accept this situation. Against the background of Turkey's and Russia's influence in the region, Iran cannot agree to stay offside, and it is well aware that the reasons for this are related to Azerbaijan and our victory, so it targets us as a weak link because it is afraid to fight with major powers in the region.

Question: Azerbaijan conducts military trainings on its territory, and Iran immediately starts military trainings on the border with Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan conducts military trainings in the Caspian Sea; at the same time, Iran is trying to show strength at sea. Images proving this have been spread on social media. According to video footage circulated on Telegram channels, the fleet of the Revolutionary Guard Corps has concentrated several thousand high-speed boats in the Caspian Sea. What does Iran mean by these steps? Is it afraid of something, is it worried, or does it intend to show strength to Azerbaijan without stopping?

Answer: Iran, which did not conduct any military trainings near our borders during the 30-year occupation, now has one goal - to intimidate Azerbaijan. This serves only this purpose, both in the Caspian Sea and on land. Iran indifferently violated the airspace in the Caspian Sea in 2000, and at that time, Turkish military planes demonstrated air show in the sky in Baku in response to Iran. Now Azerbaijan is much stronger than it was 20 years ago and has signed mutual military assistance agreements with countries such as Turkey and Pakistan. Iran knows this but it still wants to intimidate us and show its strength. It tried to get political support from Russia for this purpose but its plans blew up in its face. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran, Amirabdollahian, was disappointed with his visit to Moscow and announced that he would visit Azerbaijan and Armenia, trying to improve relations without paying attention to what is written in mass media. The normalization of relations between the two countries is very good, but in this case, Iran has lost more. Although it is still known that it hid its true face and was insincere, its recent actions have brought the face of the real Iran to light, and its supporters in Azerbaijan are aware of this. Iran's secret and open supporters in our country remain a source of danger, and it is important to take legal, preventive, and educational work against them.

Question: When and how can this tension between Iran and Azerbaijan end?

Answer: As long as the Islamic Republic of Iran exists, its relations with Azerbaijan will always be tense. It's just that this tension is on the verge of a cold war, and there is a milder form. Although the current cold war is slow, it is moving towards a phase of normal tension. However, Azerbaijan must be constantly prepared for Iran’s all ideological and military activities against it; all the state bodies in Azerbaijan, especially the security forces, must fulfill their functions; and the Caucasian Muslims Office and the State Committee for the Work with Religious Organizations must increase their awareness-raising activities in this area. Iran is a divisive force, and the unity of the people with the state is an important factor in the disintegration of this force.