Iran Generals: Israel an ‘Uninvited and Disruptive Security Element’ in Region

Iran holds new drill on Azerbaijan border

Israel’s ties to Azerbaijan, including military sales, have been a sore spot for neighboring Iran. With tensions on the rise between Iran and Azerbaijan, this is again becoming an issue.

Brig. Gen. Kiumars Heydari issued a statement saying Iran is on alert because of the increasing military ties , saying “an uninvited and disruptive security element has come to this region.”

Azerbaijan has been conducting military drills with Turkey. The presence of Israeli-made equipment led to criticism from Iran, and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that “those who have the illusion that they can provide security to themselves by being dependent on others would soon be slapped.”

In accusing Israel of “meddling,” Khamenei is positioning the situation in Azerbaijan much as Israel has used the small Iranian presence in Syria. Iran has long been irked by Israel’s ties to Azerbaijan, but so far that has just fueled tensions, not actual military confrontations.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.