Baqai, in press statements, called on Iran’s neighboring countries to prevent Israel from misusing their territories, emphasizing that Israel is using international lands to attack Iran. He added that “Iran did not directly accuse Azerbaijan,” but he pointed out Israel’s misuse of other countries’ territories to attack Iran, according to Iran’s Fars News. He continued: “Of course, this is a general reminder to all our neighbors to be cautious because we are facing an enemy that does not respect international law and the rule of law, which requires us all to be vigilant and not allow Israel to damage our relations.” On June 13, Israel launched surprise airstrikes in an operation named “Rising Lion,” targeting military sites and nuclear facilities in Iran, most notably the main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz. The Israeli strikes led to the deaths of several prominent nuclear scientists, military leaders, and Iranian officials, most notably IRGC Commander Hossein Salami, Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri, and Aerospace Force Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh. Israel justified its attacks by claiming that Iran had reached a “point of no return” in uranium enrichment and was nearing the possession of a nuclear weapon, which Tehran denies, insisting that its nuclear activities are solely for peaceful purposes. The United States also launched an attack on three Iranian nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan on the night of June 22. According to Washington, “the attack aimed to destroy or critically weaken Iran’s nuclear program.” Days later, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced a response to the United States by striking the American “Al Udeid” base in Qatar.
