Ilham Aliyev: This Is Not the First Time Iran Has Committed Acts of Terror Against Azerbaijan
On March 5, a meeting of the Security Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan was held under the chairmanship of President Ilham Aliyev.
President Ilham Aliyev delivered a speech at the event.
President Ilham Aliyev's speech:
- Today, a terrorist act was committed by Iran against the territory of Azerbaijan, against the Azerbaijani state. The territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic was subjected to fire by the Iranian state using unmanned aerial vehicles. The targets of the attack were civilian objects. Nakhchivan International Airport, its terminal building, a school, and other locations were subjected to cowardly fire from the Iranian side. The Azerbaijani state strongly condemns this vile terrorist act, and those responsible must be held accountable immediately. Iranian officials must provide an explanation to the Azerbaijani side, issue an apology, and those who committed this terrorist act must be brought to criminal responsibility.
This is not the first time that the Iranian state has carried out terrorist acts against Azerbaijan and Azerbaijanis. We all remember well that some time ago, Azerbaijan's embassy in Tehran was subjected to a terrorist attack. A person trained by Iranian special services attacked the embassy and committed a bloody terrorist act against Azerbaijani citizens. As a result, one citizen was killed, and another was seriously injured. I must also note that a representative of Azerbaijan's special services neutralized the terrorist, who was armed with a Kalashnikov automatic rifle, a Molotov cocktail, and an axe. Even then, we had no doubt that this act was orchestrated by the Iranian state. Because this terrorist act continued both inside and around the embassy for approximately 40 minutes. During those 40 minutes, not a single security or police representative approached the embassy. It was clear that this terrorist act was ordered from the highest levels of Iran's state institutions to intimidate Azerbaijan and carry out vile actions against us. As you know, at that time, Azerbaijan reacted very harshly to this incident, the Azerbaijani embassy was evacuated from Iran, and all diplomatic relations were suspended. The Iranian side was forced to apologize to us and admit its guilt. At our insistence, the perpetrator of that terrorist act was given the harshest punishment. Even though Iran initially showed no interest in carrying out this punishment and even tried to save the criminal, they were forced to execute the terrorist in the presence of Azerbaijani representatives. This time, the response will be the same. We will not reconcile with this baseless terrorist act and aggression against Azerbaijan. Instructions have been given to our Armed Forces to prepare and implement retaliatory measures.
Repeatedly, especially after the clashes that occurred last year, it has been conveyed to the Iranian side that Azerbaijani territory will not be used against any neighboring state. We will not allow this, just as we have never allowed it to this day. It is true that last summer and in the subsequent period, baseless accusations were made against us by Iran. Media resources under the control of Iranian state institutions conducted a vile smear campaign against Azerbaijan to tarnish our image and influence the opinions of our compatriots living in Iran. They know well that today, the independent state of Azerbaijan is a source of hope for many Azerbaijanis living in Iran. Thus, their aim was to discredit and defame us in the eyes of the Iranian public. There was no basis for this. Azerbaijan neither participated in operations against Iran at that time nor will it do so now. This is our position. We have no interest in conducting any operations against neighboring countries, nor does our policy allow for it. We protect and have protected our territorial integrity. Just as we put an end to the Armenian occupation, we are ready to demonstrate our strength against any evil force, and Iran should not forget this. This terrorist act they committed, alongside other vile factors, is a great example of ingratitude. As soon as the recent events occurred, we sent them a message and offered our condolences. On my instructions, the Foreign Minister spoke with his counterpart. I expressed my position by going to their embassy to offer condolences. Meanwhile, no other head of state visited any Iranian embassy. To not appreciate this, to disregard it, and to behave in such ungrateful manner brings honor to no one. These dishonorable individuals who committed this terrorist act against us will regret it. They should not test our strength. Those who have tried to test our strength have had their heads crushed by our 'Iron Fist.' Today's incident will yield the same result. Therefore, a plan of measures must be prepared regarding this issue. All instructions have been given. Iran's ambassador in Azerbaijan was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a protest note will be delivered, and other diplomatic steps will be taken. Relevant instructions have been given regarding the borders.
I must also mention that this morning, I was informed that the Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran called Baku, requesting Azerbaijan's assistance in evacuating Iranian embassy staff stranded in Lebanon, as they lack the means to do so. This was reported to me, and I immediately instructed that assistance be provided and a plane be sent. They even said they were ready to pay for it. I said there was no need; if we do not help in difficult times, then when should we help? In return for all this, to strike Nakhchivan in such a vile, cowardly, and treacherous manner?! This stain will never be erased from their ugly and disgraceful face. 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 the highest state of mobilization and must be ready to carry out any operation. For now, this is all.
We will keep the Azerbaijani people informed about the progress of these processes. The statement from the Ministry of Defense has already been published in the press. The Azerbaijani people can be assured that any evil force against them will face our 'Iron Fist.'
