Iran’s neighbour, Azerbaijan, is back in the spotlight after a 12-day war with Israel, and that too is related to the Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi’s chopper crash. Raisi and some senior officials died in a Chopper crash in a mountainous region on May 19, 2024. His chopper crashed while he was returning from an area bordering Azerbaijan. How is Raisi’s chopper crash now being linked to Tehran’s accusation that a neighbouring nation helped a Mossad plot?
Tehran’s Accusations
A senior Iranian diplomat, Mehdi Sobhani, has made a startling allegation about Tehran’s 12-day war with Iran. Speaking at a press conference, Mehdi Sobhani alleged Israel was ‘aided’ by Iran’s neighbouring countries in carrying out its covert operation in Iran. He said, “Tehran has information that during the conflict between Israel and Iran, a small number of Israeli drones entered Iranian territory from neighbouring countries, particularly from Azerbaijan.” Sobhani is Iran’s Ambassador To Armenia. His shocking allegation came in a press conference on June 27. He added that Iran has received information about Israel’s moves. The country has asked Azerbaijan to conduct a probe within the country.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had a phone conversation with his Azerbaijani counterpart on this regard on June 26. Additionally, Iranian state-owned media, Press TV, quoting intel, reported that Israel smuggled mini UAVs into Iran over the past few months.
Why Is Raisi’s Chopper Crash Back In Focus?
Raisi’s chopper crash is back in focus as Iran’s claims of a ‘neighbouring nation’s’ link with Mossad have raised fresh doubts surrounding the incident. Especially when Iran and Azerbaijan have a strained relationship, partly due to Azerbaijan’s close ties with Israel. Additionally, Tehran has accused Azerbaijan of helping Israel’s spy agency, Mossad. As Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian died in a helicopter crash in East Azerbaijan province along with six others, Tehran may also be potentially thinking of a fresh probe into the neighbouring nation’s role in the crash.
However, Iran’s official investigation at the time, conducted by the Armed Forces General Staff, attributed the crash to adverse weather conditions, which led to a collision with a mountain. The report found no evidence of foul play or external interference. But with Tehran now accusing Azerbaijan of links to Mossad, the case has taken a new twist, and a fresh inquiry is expected soon.
How Azerbaijan Responded
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has already responded to Mehdi Sobhani. The country’s foreign policy institution described his remarks as baseless and provocative. “Such claims are baseless and lack any credible evidence. We expect Iran to prevent such steps, which are inappropriate to the spirit of our relations, as well as to take necessary steps regarding the opinions voiced by the Ambassador, who regularly demonstrates his pro-Armenian position, rather than represent his country,” the Azerbaijani MFA said in its statement.
Masoud Pezeshkian told Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev to conduct a probe into Israel smuggling UAVs through their country.
