Azerbaijan has strongly rejected allegations published by CNN claiming that its territory was used for Israeli military and intelligence operations against Iran, describing the report as entirely baseless and demanding a retraction.
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has issued a forceful response to a CNN report published on 5 June that alleged Israeli military and intelligence personnel operated from locations in Azerbaijan during the recent conflict involving Iran. According to CNN, which cited anonymous sources, Israeli forces were allegedly deployed in southern Azerbaijan near the Iranian border and used the territory to facilitate operations against Iran.
Responding to the report, Aykhan Hajızadə, Spokesperson for Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, categorically rejected the allegations.
"The allegations contained in the article published on CNN World’s website on 5 June claiming that Azerbaijani territory was allegedly used for military or intelligence operations against Iran, and that Israeli forces were allegedly deployed on the territory of Azerbaijan, are entirely baseless and are categorically rejected," Hajızadə said.
He stressed that Azerbaijan had already conveyed its position directly to CNN before publication.
"The claims presented in the article have been repeatedly denied by the Azerbaijani side, and this position was officially conveyed to CNN in response to its inquiry prior to the publication of the article."
The Foreign Ministry criticised CNN for publishing allegations based on unnamed sources while, it said, disregarding Azerbaijan's official response.
"The publication of allegations based on anonymous sources, without presenting any credible evidence while disregarding Azerbaijan’s official position, runs contrary to the principles of objectivity, impartiality and professional ethics in journalism," Hajızadə stated.
CNN's report relied on claims from anonymous individuals said to be familiar with the matter but did not provide publicly available evidence to substantiate the allegations.
The Foreign Ministry reiterated Azerbaijan's longstanding position that it does not permit its territory to be used against other states.
"As has been stated on numerous occasions, allegations that Azerbaijan’s territory has been used by any third country for military operations, intelligence activities, or other hostile purposes against another state are completely unfounded. Azerbaijan has never allowed, and will never allow, its territory to be used for such purposes."
The statement emphasised that Azerbaijan remains committed to maintaining regional stability and constructive relations with its neighbours.
"Azerbaijan remains committed to promoting peace, stability, and good-neighbourly relations in the region. Such groundless allegations, unsupported by any evidence, constitute yet another attempt at disinformation."
Concluding the statement, Hajızadə called on CNN to withdraw the article.
"We expect CNN to refute this article containing unfounded allegations."
The Foreign Ministry's response marks Azerbaijan's strongest rebuttal yet of claims that it played any role in military or intelligence activities directed against Iran, insisting that the allegations are false, unsupported by evidence and contrary to the country's stated foreign policy.
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