Azerbaijan rejects CNN report alleging its territory could be used against Iran

Azerbaijan has rejected claims published by CNN World alleging that its territory could be used for military or intelligence operations against Iran.

The statement was made by Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada.

According to Hajizada, allegations in the report that Israeli forces are stationed in Azerbaijan or that Azerbaijani territory could be used against Iran are completely unfounded.

He said Azerbaijan had repeatedly denied such claims and that Baku’s official position had been formally communicated to CNN in response to the broadcaster’s inquiry before publication.

“The publication of allegations based on anonymous sources, without any credible evidence and without taking Azerbaijan’s official position into account, contradicts the principles of objectivity, impartiality and professional journalistic ethics,” the statement said.

The Foreign Ministry stressed that claims suggesting Azerbaijan’s territory is being used for military operations, intelligence activities or other hostile actions against third countries have no basis.

“Azerbaijan has never allowed and will never allow its territory to be used for such purposes,” Hajizada said.

He added that Azerbaijan remains committed to promoting peace, stability and good-neighborly relations in the region and described the allegations as another disinformation attempt.

The ministry also said it expects CNN to issue a correction to the article containing what it called unsubstantiated claims.

N.Tebrizli