Ilham Aliyev: They Will See Our 'Iron Fist'

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev announced that he responded to Iran's request for assistance in evacuating Iranian diplomats from Lebanon, only to face an attack by Tehran on Nakhchivan with drones in response to this gesture of goodwill.

The head of state made this statement during a Security Council meeting on Thursday.

"I must also report: this morning, I was informed that the Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran called Baku and requested that Azerbaijan assist in the evacuation of the staff of the Iranian embassy remaining in Lebanon because they have no means to do so. I was informed about this. I immediately gave the order: help, send a plane. They even said they were ready to pay for it. I said there’s no need—if we don’t help on a difficult day, then when will we? And in response to all this—to strike Nakhchivan in a vile, treacherous, and unmanly way?!" said Ilham Aliyev.

He emphasized that "this stain will never be erased from their ugly and disgraceful image."

"Therefore, all necessary measures will be taken through diplomatic channels. Our Armed Forces—the Ministry of Defense, the State Border Service, and all other special forces—have been placed on mobilization level one and must be ready to carry out any operation. For now, that is all," the head of state said, adding that the Azerbaijani people will be kept informed about the developments.

"The Azerbaijani people must be confident that any evil force will face our 'Iron Fist' against them," the President concluded.