Amid heavy losses and damage to its reputation in the war with Israel, Iran’s leadership is seeking to shift blame by targeting external “culprits” instead of accepting political and military responsibility for the defeat. Recently, the claims spread against Azerbaijan clearly show that Tehran has turned the information war into a primary tool to cover up its military failures.
The main thesis is that Azerbaijan’s territory was allegedly used in Israel’s military operations against Iran. These claims are not only unsupported by evidence but are also baseless and absurd from a military-technical standpoint. As Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev emphasized, Azerbaijan does not and will not allow its territory to be used against third countries. This stance has been expressed officially and firmly.
Iran’s fabricated provocations: Claims detached from reality and facts
However, some Iranian political circles and propaganda machinery circulate unserious, sometimes even ridiculous fabrications. For example, one "news report" by Iranian media claims that a soldier stationed in Ardabil shot down an unknown aerial object coming from the Azerbaijani direction, which exploded and caused his death. Such primitive provocation stories do not align with military realities, radar observations, or international monitors’ reports. If there were real evidence as claimed, Iran would have publicly presented materials such as radar data, satellite images, and military observations. However, so far, no facts have been disclosed. Instead, baseless accusations are voiced amid populist rhetoric and religious-political emotions.
Armenia’s double game: Amplifying Iran’s fabrications to escalate tensions
Another interesting aspect is Armenia’s role. Armenian media and Telegram channels persistently spread such disinformation and become part of information operations aimed at damaging Iran-Azerbaijan relations. This is, in fact, the next stage of Armenia's provocative information strategy, which has been ongoing for years and is analyzed in the context of "hybrid warfare". In addition, the Armenian side also aims to divert attention from itself in this issue.
EU Mission and Western shadow structures
Statements have been made at various levels regarding the true objectives of the European Union’s observation mission in Armenia. There are serious claims that the mission functions more as a Western intelligence operation rather than an impartial international structure, engaging in espionage activities in the region, particularly against Russia, Iran, and Azerbaijan.
It is possible that recent attacks on Iran’s targeted military-strategic facilities were planned by the US, the UK, and Israel based on intelligence sources and coordinates provided by such entities.
Armenia, however, spreads fabricated “Azerbaijani trail” scenarios to cover up this reality and resorts to information provocations to create tension between Tehran and Baku. Yet, all regional players now clearly understand that Iran’s attempts to cover its internal weaknesses, technological gaps, and intelligence failures not only fail but further expose these vulnerabilities.
Tehran is looking for scapegoats for its defeat: the cause lies internally, the target is Azerbaijan
In this context, Armenia’s role in sharing this information and becoming part of the game is no coincidence—the goal is clear: to create artificial tension in the South Caucasus and amplify anti-Azerbaijani rhetoric.
All these factors reveal the true essence of Tehran’s “scapegoat search” campaign in the information space. Instead of analyzing and learning from the real causes of military failure—internal weakness, intelligence gaps, technological backwardness—Iran tries to blame Azerbaijan. Furthermore, Tehran should pay attention to threats coming from Armenia, which has become a tool of the EU observation mission, including the possible transmission of intelligence gathered along the border to the West.
Iran needs to learn from the mistakes that led to its defeat and, instead of destabilizing the region, should prioritize constructive relations.
Azerbaijan—the address of stability and trust
Despite these manipulations, Azerbaijan has always demonstrated its adherence to the principles of international law and firmly continues its policy of non-involvement in regional conflicts. This neutral stance makes Azerbaijan a symbol of regional stability and trust—which some forces dislike.
