Military adviser outlines security concerns as Ankara and Baku reaffirm their positions
TEHRAN: Iranian officials have held discussions with counterparts in Turkey and Azerbaijan, warning that neither country should allow its territory to be used for military attacks against Iran, according to remarks attributed to senior military adviser Yahya Rahim Safavi and reported by Azerbaijani news outlet News.AZ.
According to the report, Safavi said Iran had made clear that Turkey and Azerbaijan were not considered targets. However, he warned that Tehran would respond if attacks against Iran were launched from either country’s territory.
Safavi also said the discussions followed an unspecified drone-related incident, which he described as a “clear provocation.” He added that he had ordered an internal investigation into the incident, although no further details were provided.
Claims regarding military facilities
According to News.AZ, Safavi said Turkish officials assured Iran that the Incirlik Air Base near Adana would not be used in operations against Iran. The base hosts the US Air Force’s 39th Air Base Wing and supports NATO activities.
Safavi also said Azerbaijani officials informed Tehran that no US or Israeli military bases operate within Azerbaijan.
Neither the Turkish nor Azerbaijani governments immediately issued public statements confirming Safavi’s reported remarks.
Previous allegations and denials
The report follows earlier claims published by Iranian hardline outlet Raja News, which alleged that some attacks on Tehran and Karaj originated from the direction of the Caspian Sea and suggested Azerbaijan may have been used as a transit route for Israeli drones or aircraft.
Azerbaijan has consistently denied allowing its territory or airspace to be used for military operations against Iran. According to the same report, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov discussed the issue with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi following the reported attacks.
The claims cited in the reports have not been independently verified. Regional tensions remain high as neighbouring countries continue to stress that they do not want their territories drawn into the broader confrontation, while diplomatic contacts continue between Iran and its regional partners.
