Azerbaijan warns any force will face its “Iron Fist”

Today, on 5 March, unexpected drone attacks were carried out from the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the lands of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan.

It should be clearly stated that despite Iran’s anti-Azerbaijani stance during the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflicts, the 44-day Patriotic War in autumn 2020, and even in the subsequent peace agreement process—especially regarding the Zangezur corridor—Azerbaijan displayed a highly cautious, wise, and dignified stance in response to the terrorist attack on our Tehran Embassy in January 2023. By demonstrating good-neighborly intentions and declaring neutrality in conflicts, Azerbaijan maintained its composure and openly affirmed a sincere and constructive relationship with Iran during a period critical to Tehran.

From the outset, it has been confirmed with concrete evidence that throughout the history of the Karabakh issue, Iran actively provided socio-economic support to Armenia, and during the 44-day war, it facilitated military aid to Armenians and areas controlled by the terrorist regime through its southern territory. When Azerbaijan liberated the 132-kilometer section of its border under occupation, Iranian forces engaged in provocative actions, violating the border and intervening in our territory. Additionally, in October 2022, Iran unreasonably opened a consulate in Kapan solely to obstruct the opening of the Zangezur corridor. Despite all these provocations, Azerbaijan once again demonstrated patience, perseverance, and state dignity.

Currently, while the United States and Israel continue their comprehensive, targeted actions against Iran, Azerbaijan has firmly declared that it will not permit any attacks against a neighboring state through its territory or airspace, maintaining its sincere neighborly stance. A few days ago, following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s deputy during military actions against Iran, President Ilham Aliyev called Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to express condolences and subsequently visited the Iranian Embassy in Baku on 4 March to sign the condolence book.

Indeed, at this very moment, during a Security Council meeting, President Aliyev stated:

As soon as the recent events occurred, we informed them and conveyed our condolences. The Foreign Minister spoke with his counterpart at my instruction. I personally went to their embassy to express my condolences. No other head of state has visited any Iranian embassy. Ignoring or disregarding this courtesy in a shameful and ungrateful manner brings no honor. Those who carried out this terrorist act against us will regret it. Do not test our strength. Those who attempt to test our strength have been crushed by the ‘Iron Fist.’ Today’s event will have the same outcome.

In response, Iran has once again demonstrated its unfriendly stance toward Azerbaijan throughout our history of independence. On 5 March, at approximately 11:30 AM, Iran conducted a treacherous and dishonorable drone attack on the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan, injuring two Azerbaijani citizens. The reason for addressing this matter in such strong terms is Iran’s disproportionate and unethical attitude in response to Azerbaijan’s constructive behavior over the past 34 years of independence.

Despite Azerbaijan’s honorable and tolerant approach toward the people, the leadership, and the state itself, the attack carried out by the Iranian Armed Forces—or rather by the “mullah regime” that has effectively made Iran its colony—is not only a violation of international law but also disregards the most fundamental principles of neighborly relations. The ruling “clerical regime” in that country knows very well that, unlike them, the Republic of Azerbaijan would never act hypocritically, attack a neighbor from behind, or target a child, civilian, school, or airport with unexpected assaults.

This dishonorable attack occurred at a time when Iran could offer no reasonable justification. Any attempted explanations would be futile, as earlier today Iran’s own need for Azerbaijan’s assistance and the President’s dignified and helpful conduct were evident. During today’s Security Council meeting, President Aliyev emphasized:

I should also note that this morning, I was informed that Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister called Baku, requesting Azerbaijan’s assistance in evacuating personnel trapped in Lebanon by the Iranian Embassy. Since they had no means, I immediately instructed that help be provided, a plane sent. They even offered to pay for it. I said, ‘No need, if we cannot help in difficult times, when will we?’ And yet, in return, they treacherously attacked Nakhchivan? This stain will never be erased due to their ugly and disgraceful conduct. Therefore, all necessary measures will be taken through diplomatic channels.

Meanwhile, the Iranian regime, which lacks the strength and courage to respond to the true aggressors yet bombards surrounding Arab countries unnecessarily, has carried out this treacherous attack on Turkey yesterday and Azerbaijan today—a move that can only be interpreted as arising from the regime’s character.

Even though the Iranian leadership hides behind the sacred ideals of Islam, these dishonorable attacks violate not only international law but also the humanitarian principles of the Islamic faith, targeting children at school and civilians traveling through airports. For Azerbaijan, which has fought against Armenian state terrorism for 30 years, this constitutes state-level terrorism from Iran. This act against the independent Republic of Azerbaijan and its 40 million Azerbaijani Turks is another proof of Iran’s moral, religious, and ethical collapse as a state.

During the Security Council meeting, President Ilham Aliyev decisively exposed Iran’s vile and hypocritical mask:

Azerbaijan neither participated nor will participate in operations against Iran. That is our stance. We have no interest or policy to engage in actions against neighboring countries. We defend our territorial integrity and will continue to do so. Just as we ended Armenian occupation, we are ready to demonstrate our strength against any evil force, and Iran should not forget this. This terrorist act is, among other ugly actions, an extreme example of ingratitude.

The top leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran must take responsibility for this dishonorable attack targeting civilian infrastructure, schools, airports, and densely populated areas; perpetrators must be immediately identified, punished, and Azerbaijan’s state and people duly apologized to. Iran must recognize its limits, position, and relationship with Azerbaijan and its people, and recover from this uncontrolled aggression.

Otherwise,

Our Armed Forces—including the Ministry of Defense, the State Border Service, and all Special Forces—have been placed on top-level alert and are ready to carry out all operations

and we are confident that they are fully prepared:

THE PEOPLE OF AZERBAIJAN CAN BE ASSURED THAT ANY EVIL FORCE WILL FACE OUR ‘IRON FIST.