met Defense Minister Yoav Galant Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev In the shadow of the recent Iran-inspired terror attack attempt on the Israeli embassy in the capital Baku on Thursday, the Islamic Republic is closer to a nuclear weapon than ever.
Azerbaijan has a particularly important role in relation to Tehran, not only because its media announced on Monday that its security services foiled an Iranian-inspired terrorist attack on the Israeli embassy by an Afghan man, but also because Because the country’s border is with the Islamic Republic.
In the past, several global media reports have assessed that Israeli intelligence forces have used the porous Iran–Azerbaijan border for operations against the nuclear program and other targets.
a statement from Gallant Said the two officials discussed regional developments and how they can jointly strengthen the strategic relationship to address common security challenges.
In addition, they said that they are committed to enhance technical ties.
Earlier, the two had met at the Munich Security Conference five months ago.
Just before taking off from Israel on Wednesday night, Gallant said, “This trip is taking place at a moment that is fraught with security challenges. I will accurately present to the Azeris the threat to the world from Iranian nuclear weapons. I will tell them about the dangerous activities Iran is doing on Israel’s borders, efforts inside Israel and efforts throughout the Middle East.
“I am going to Azerbaijan to take our relations, which are constantly getting closer, to a new level,” Gallant said.
Besides Aliyev, the defense minister is set to meet his Azerbaijani counterpart, Zakir Hasanov, the head of the country’s State Border Service, Elchin Guliyev, and additional officials from Azerbaijan’s defense establishment.
Attack on Israeli Embassy in Baku
Azerbaijan’s State Security Service announced on Monday that it has arrested an Afghan national, Fauzan Mosa Khan, on suspicion of conspiring with additional individuals to carry out a terrorist attack on the embassy of a third country in Baku.
A video released by the State Security Service shows Khan discussing how he would monitor the target of the attack, as well as footage of Khan monitoring the location.
According to the State Security Service, Khan was planning to use explosives and other weapons in the attack on the embassy.
The State Security Service did not initially specify which country it belonged to. Embassy was being targeted But indicated that the suspect was conducting surveillance around the Hyatt Regency hotel complex, where the Israeli embassy is located, and later reports confirmed the Israeli target.
Additional subsequent foreign reports suggested that the Mossad was involved in helping Azerbaijan foil the terrorist plot, but that Israel kept a low profile regarding its spy agency’s alleged activities in Azerbaijan, instead aiding Europe or Turkey. I have been more careful, and have not commented.
Azerbaijan and Israel have close relations, including arms sales by Israel to Azerbaijan. Earlier this year, Azerbaijan opened an embassy in Tel Aviv.
Relations between the two countries have angered Iran in recent years, with Azerbaijan repeatedly claiming last year that it had caught Iran-backed cells planning attacks in the country, which is a state under Sharia law. Coup planning cells to set up are also involved. Azerbaijan.
Jerusalem Post staff contributed to this report.