Iran International
Sep. 24, 2021
Fada Hossein Maleki, an Iranian lawmaker and a member of the Iranian
parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee has warned
the neighboring Republic of Azerbaijan for obstructing transit of
goods between Iran and Armenia and objected to a joint military
exercise at the Iranian border by the military forces of Azerbaijan,
Turkey and Pakistan.
Maleki also warned(link is external) that Iran closely monitors
developments beyond its northern borders and is sensitive to
suspicious moves close to its borders.
He added that Iran did not expect such a military exercise regardless
of why it was carried out. He added that Iran also expects Turkey and
Pakistan to seek Tehran's views before arranging such joint exercises.
Maleki said, "Regardless of the label of the joint military exercise,
security circles all over the world will perceive it differently."
Meanwhile, he warned Baku to be weary of suspicious moves as
belligerent countries such as Israel are planning to disrupt the
security balance of the region. He told Baku “Not to play in the hands
of regional troublemakers, as most of those troubles would be targeted
at Baku."
There have been several reports in recent days that Azeri forces which
have entered Armenian territory north of the Iranian border after last
year’s war with Armenia have been stopping and preventing free
movement of Iranian vehicles. The Iranian ambassador in Baku has
complained to Azerbaijani officials. Maleki raising the issue said,
"Armenia is an independent country and Iran wishes to have trade
relations with Yerevan."
Social media accounts have been warning about a military build-up at
the Azerbaijani border since last year’s war between Armenia and
Azerbaijan around the Karabakh region.
Last week, users commenting on reports about security developments on
the IRGC's channel on the popular social media platform Telegram
observed that tensions were rising at Iran's northern borders(link is
external). One user wrote: "Azerbaijani media have reported that
drones with Azerbaijani flag have been flying along the border with
Southern Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan. I have seen them, but I am not
sure whether they belong to Iran or Azerbaijan."
Meanwhile, several Iranian social media users posted warnings and
threats against the Republic of Azerbaijan. One user posted a picture
of Iranian "Persian Gulf" missiles(link is external) and threatened
that "We are prepared to pound Aliev's spider house. I wish they would
do a mistake, so that we could give them a historic lesson."
Most recently, on September 22, the Twitter account @twmelli, which
identified itself as Twitter-e Melli (National Twitter)(link is
external) posted another picture of an Iranian missile, and reported
that, "Iranian forces at the northwestern borders are in a state of
full alert. Missiles are ready to be fired, choppers ready to fly and
drones constantly on patrol. They are waiting for one mistake from the
Baku republic to end Azerbaijan's stupid laughable illusions."
There were mixed reactions in the comments to that post, with a lot of
still more serious threats. One user said(link is external): "We
should not hit Baku. We need to beat the delusional local governor [on
the Azeri side]."
Another user said(link is external) on September(link is external) 23:
"The military power of Iran and Baku cannot be compared with each
other. With its missile power, Iran can destroy Azerbaijan's airports
and military centers in a matter of one day. Iran is hesitant only
because of shared religious concerns, otherwise, Baku would have
realized how sharp Iran's sword is."
On the same day, two other Iranian lawmakers, Mohammad Reza Ahmadi
Sangari(link is external) and Ahmad Naderi(link is external) also
warned Baku to watch its behavior toward Tehran as one of them quoted
an Azerbaijan Republic MP as having said that "Iran should be wiped
off the map,"
