Iranian President denies attack on Azerbaijan, calls reports rumors

Middle Eastern outlets stress Pezeshkian’s claim that his comments on neighbouring states were twisted by enemies and that Iran did not attack Nakhchivan. This narrative notes that Iran says it will not attack neighbouring countries, even as its military warns Azerbaijan over Israeli activity on its soil. Regional writers expect Iran to keep pushing Baku over ties with Israel while trying to avoid open conflict.

• •Masoud Pezeshkian says his remarks about neighbours were misinterpreted by hostile actors.
• •Iran officially denies any role in the drone attack on Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan region.
• •Iranian leaders repeat that Iran will not attack neighbouring countries under current policy.
• •Iran’s military has publicly warned Azerbaijan about what it calls an Israeli presence on Azerbaijani territory.
• •Regional commentators expect Tehran to use political and security pressure, rather than direct strikes, to curb Azerbaijani-Israeli cooperation.