Social media users questioned Iran's involvement in the attack on Nakhichevan.
Although the Iranian president apologized to neighboring countries for attacks on their territory, the UAV strikes on Nakhchivan raise questions, social media users pointed out. Several commentators suggested that Iran's adversaries may have been interested in the attack, or that the strikes were staged.
As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," due to military action in Iran, bus routes through that country between Baku and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic have been suspended. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry recommended citizens to refrain from visiting Iran and Israel.
On February 28, Israel and the United States began strikes on Iran. Donald Trump announced the start of a large-scale military operation. In response, Iran launched attacks on Israel, American military installations, and civilian targets in the Middle East, according to the Caucasian Knot report "Key Issues in the Impact of the Military Conflict with Iran on the Caucasus."
Facebook* users expressed conflicting opinions about the strikes on the territory of the NAR. Thus, a publication about putting the Azerbaijani army on high alert had garnered 630 comments by 4:17 PM Moscow time.
"Does anyone still believe that Iran sent this?" asked Fs SK.
"It is not in Iran's interests to attack Azerbaijan, and there are no American bases in Azerbaijan. So this is someone's game," said Sos Knyaz, noting Israel's possible interest.
"It feels like a pre-written script. Using the moment when Iran is tied to a full-scale war for additional information pressure," noted Huseinof Huseinof.
"The Iranian president admitted and apologized," countered Rashad Jafarov in the comments to another post.
User Maksim Yevseyev pointed out that there is a lot of negativity toward the US and Israel in the Azerbaijani media. "Almost everyone believes that these two countries are pressuring Aliyev and will ultimately push through a decision on Azerbaijan's participation in the war. "At the same time, most sympathize with Iran," he noted.
"There will be no war between Azerbaijan and Iran. Especially after Pezeshkian's apology," expressed the opinion of Tatiana Rustamova.
Iran's Interim Governing Council has decided not to launch new strikes on Middle Eastern countries unless attacks are launched from their territory. This was announced by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Mehr reports. He apologized to neighboring countries affected by the attacks.