Iran’s army warns Azerbaijan to expel Israelis from country ‘to prevent spread of insecurity’

Iran’s military calls on its neighbor Azerbaijan to “expel the Zionists” from its territory in order to preserve its security, a day after Baku accused Tehran of plotting attacks on its territory.

Israel is a close ally of Azerbaijan’s and a key arms supplier, while Tehran has long accused Israel of using Azerbaijani territory for intelligence operations.

“We declare to Iran’s neighboring country, the Republic of Azerbaijan, as a Muslim country, to expel the Zionists from that country in order to prevent the spread of insecurity in the region and not to endanger the security of its people and Islamic Iran,” a military spokesman says in a statement.

Azerbaijan yesterday said it had foiled a series of planned Iranian terrorist attacks on its territory including on a key oil pipeline, a synagogue and Jewish community leaders.

Iran did not comment on the accusations.

On Thursday at least four drones crashed into Azerbaijan’s exclave of Nakhchivan, including one that hit an airport, with Baku blaming Tehran.

Tehran denied the allegation and accused Israel of trying to stage a provocation.