Iran’s military has urged its neighbour Azerbaijan to “expel the Zionists” from its territory in order to maintain regional security.
The call came on Saturday, a day after Azerbaijan accused Tehran of planning attacks inside its territory.
Israel is a close ally of Azerbaijan and one of its key arms suppliers. Tehran has long alleged that Israel uses Azerbaijani territory to conduct intelligence operations against Iran.
“We declare to Iran’s neighbouring 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 spokesperson said in a statement.
Azerbaijan said on Friday that it had foiled several alleged Iranian plots to carry out attacks on its territory, including plans targeting a major oil pipeline, a synagogue and Jewish community leaders.
Iran has not officially commented on those accusations.
Earlier on Thursday, at least four drones crashed in Nakhchivan, an exclave of Azerbaijan. One of the drones reportedly struck an airport, with Baku blaming Tehran for the incident.
Iran denied responsibility and accused Israel of attempting to stage a provocation.
