Iranian official warns Azerbaijan, Turkey over facilitating US, Israeli attack routes - report

Jerusalem Post/Middle East/Iran NewsTurkey hosts Incirlik Air Base, from which the US Air Force's 39th Air Base Wing and other NATO partner aircraft operate.Follow us on GoogleIranian military commander, Rahim Safavi, attends the Iranian-Arab Dialogues for Cooperation Conference in Tehran, Iran, May 12, 2024.(photo credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS)ByTZVI JASPERJULY 21, 2026 12:45Iranian officials have held talks with both Turkey and Azerbaijan officials, warning them against participating in attacks on Iran, Azerbaijani media site News.AZ reported on Monday, citing Iran's senior military advisor Yahya Rahim Safavi."We explicitly stated that Turkey or Azerbaijan are not our targets," Safavi stated. "However, there must be no attacks launched against us from their territory; otherwise, we will target them."The talks took place after an unspecified drone-related incident, which Safavi described as a "clear provocation," adding that he had ordered an internal investigation.News.AZ also cited Safavi saying that Turkey had told Iran that the Incirlik Air Base would not be used in attacks on Iran.Incirlik is located near Adana and hosts the US Air Force's 39th Air Base Wing as well as other NATO partner aircraft.A woman holds a placard that reads ''Incirlik Air Base shield of Israel'' during a march after late Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in Israeli and US strikes, in Istanbul, Turkey, March 1, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/KEMAL ASLAN)Azerbaijan denies role in US, Israeli attacks on IranAzerbaijan also told Iranian officials that there were no US or Israeli military bases within its territory, Safavi said.In June, Iranian hardline outlet Raja News alleged that some attacks on Tehran and Karaj came from the direction of the Caspian Sea and claimed that Azerbaijan may have been used as a route for Israeli drones, small aircraft, or fighter jets entering Iranian airspace.Azerbaijan has denied allowing its territory or airspace to be used against Iran, according to the same Raja News report, which said Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi after the attacks.Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.Follow us on Google