The Telegraph publication has made a sensational claim about Azerbaijan amid the tense relations between Iran and Israel, APA reports.

The publication wrote that Tehran’s authorities are divided over how to respond to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader, in the Iranian capital on July 31.

‘Top generals within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are insisting on a direct strike on Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities, focusing on military bases to avoid civilian casualties. But Masoud Pezeshkian, the newly elected president, has suggested targeting secret Israeli bases in Iran’s neighbouring countries,’ the article reads.

The publication reminds that Iran has previously targeted what it refers to as ‘spy bases’ of Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency, in Iraqi Kurdistan.

The IRGC has been trying to undermine President Pezeshkian in its pursuit of a more aggressive retaliation against Israel, aides of the president told The Telegraph.

‘Mr. Pezeshkian fears that any direct attack
on Israel would have serious consequences,’ said a close aide to the president.

‘These recent exercises in the country’s western border are just to intimidate Mr. Pezeshkian. Sepah [the IRGC] is very insistent on targeting Israel and they think it is easy,’ a second aide to Mr. Pezeshkian told The Telegraph.

According to the aide, Pezeshkian has suggested targeting somewhere related to Israel in the Republic of Azerbaijan or [Iraqi] Kurdistan and let these countries know before that and get done with the whole drama.’

‘There have been lengthy and intense discussions where Mr. Pezeshkian has been trying to persuade IRGC commanders to avoid actions that could spiral out of control. He is aware that the IRGC aims to draw the country into a war, using his influence within the leader’s office, he is working to prevent the IRGC from plunging Iran into war,’ said the second aide to Mr. Pezeshkian who spoke to The Telegraph.

An unnamed official from the IRGC also spoke to The Telegraph.

‘There has been discussio
n within the forces on how to block Mr. Pezeshkian’s efforts. Almost everyone believes what he is insisting on is not in the revolution’s reputation,’ the IRGC official has stated.

These claims, made on behalf of Iran’s new president Pezeshkian, have naturally been met with some concern in Azerbaijan.

However, official sources in Azerbaijan have told APA that the country’s government circles think that the statement made on behalf of Iranian President Pezeshkian is fake.

The Azerbaijani side is generally of the opinion that this is fake and disinformation. ‘Some circles have begun to worry about the recent normalization of relations between Iran and Azerbaijan and want to disrupt this process.

Possibly, given that Iran’s new president is particularly of Azerbaijani origin and has a warm attitude towards Azerbaijan, there are forces both inside and outside of Iran that wish to undermine these relations.

It would be best for Iranian side to comment on these claims and refute them, putting an end to the dou
bts,” sources in the Azerbaijani government told APA.

Source: Azeri-Press news agency