"The strikes carried out by the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran on March 5, using unmanned aerial vehicles, against Nakhchivan International Airport, an integral part of Azerbaijan, and other civilian infrastructure, have been met with great indignation and anger by our people. Azerbaijan has always pursued a constructive policy in its relations with Iran. Our state has repeatedly declared that the territory of our country can under no circumstances be used against third states. Azerbaijan is not in favor of increasing tension in the region."
These views were expressed by Vugar Rahimzade, a deputy from the 6th Ordubad-Julfa electoral district of the Milli Majlis, in a statement to Modern.az.
He stated that the mullah regime in Iran once again demonstrated its hypocrisy and ingratitude.
"As stated in the declaration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, one drone fell on the terminal building of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Airport, and another drone fell near a school building in Shakarabad village. We strongly condemn these drone attacks carried out from the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which resulted in damage to the airport building and injuries to 4 civilians. This attack on Azerbaijani territory contradicts the norms and principles of international law and serves to increase tension in the region. We demand that the Islamic Republic of Iran clarify this issue, provide an explanation, and take necessary urgent measures to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future. This policy of the mullah regime is an indicator of an ungrateful and hypocritical attitude, and an exposure of the anti-human regime's true face."
V. Rahimzade noted that Azerbaijan, not being a supporter of increasing tension in the region, always acts as a proponent of peace, stability, cooperation, and relations based on mutual respect.
"The development of relations with neighbors is a priority in Azerbaijan's foreign policy. The territory of Azerbaijan has never posed a threat to Iran or, generally, to any country. Our state always attaches special importance to the principles of mutual respect in its relations with neighboring countries. President Ilham Aliyev's visit to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in our country on March 4 to offer condolences regarding the demise of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran and many civilians is also an indicator of this. Azerbaijan has always supported its neighbors in difficult times. Our country was also planning to send humanitarian aid to Iran. However, in such circumstances, the targeting of a civilian object, an airport used by civilian citizens, in the Nakhchivan territory by the Iranian side is an act of terror against peaceful residents and civilian infrastructure."
The deputy added that this step by the mullah regime, in addition to being hypocritical, is one of the factors causing damage to mutual trust between the two countries. The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Republic of Azerbaijan was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and a strong protest was conveyed to the Iranian side.
"Our country is a supporter of maintaining stability and peace in the region and considers it important to build relations between states based on mutual respect and the norms and principles of international law. Nevertheless, the Azerbaijani people and state are always determined and capable of protecting their national interests and security. The powerful Azerbaijani state, having fully restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty and created new realities in the region, is capable of decisively responding to any threat. Those who have attacked Azerbaijan have always regretted it, and Iran will also regret this vile and cowardly act. The Azerbaijani side reserves the right to take appropriate retaliatory measures. As stated in the declaration of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, full responsibility for the incident lies with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan is preparing necessary retaliatory measures to defend our country's territorial integrity and sovereignty, and to ensure the safety of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and these acts of aggression will not go unanswered," V. Rahimzade noted.
