Azerbaijan arrests a secret Iranian intelligence group

Disputes between Azerbaijan and Iran over possible foreign influence and espionage have reached a new episode with the arrest of a secret Iranian intelligence group called the Islamic Unity Movement. According to the report issued by Azerbaijan's State Security Service, the armed group aimed to "inculcate extremist religious ideas". In addition, members of the group "came from different countries to Tehran and Syria to receive military training and obtain funding".
 
One of the detained men was arrested while in the process of "preparing a terrorist act in an unidentified third country". Books and videos promoting religious extremist positions "against the ideas of modern development and secular state" have also been found. In this way, Azeri forces succeeded in dismantling a private Iranian intelligence cell, bringing controversy back into the relations between the two. Iran's proximity to Armenia is one of the points of conflict that has already provoked a wave of accusations between Tehran and Baku, which could now see a new chapter.

In September, Azerbaijani media in Azerbaijan called on Azeri nationalists in northern Iran to distance themselves from Tehran. Ali Khamenei's side responded by accusing these media outlets of "foreign efforts" to attack the regime. It should not be forgotten that the situation had already been tense between the two countries since last year when Azerbaijan began seizing trucks from Iran with numerous fines and arrests, prompting Iranian troops to be sent to the border citing Israeli influence on Azerbaijan's movements.
 
Iranian border guard commander Ahmed Ali Kudarzi claimed that Israeli forces were present in "sensitive areas" and were carrying out important intelligence and espionage work, even though Baku has repeatedly denied the Israeli rapprochement that Tehran accuses it of. He warned Islamic countries "not to allow this", Iran's state radio reported. Ali Kudarzi also accused Tel Aviv of cracking down on its borders and imposing exorbitant tariffs on heavy vehicles. The latter was linked to Azerbaijan's aforementioned tight control of Iranian trucks.

Azerbaijan's State Border Service rejected the accusations of an Iranian presence on its territory, claiming that Azerbaijan "does not need the support of foreign forces". However, this did not stop Iran from conducting the 'Kyber Raiders' exercise in August last year. Iranian officials stressed that this was a military exercise intended to 'send a message' to Israel and ISIS. They explained that they wanted to demonstrate that Tehran is capable and will take the necessary measures to defend its borders.
 
Already at the time, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed concern about Iran's military exercise along its border. He said it was the first time such an action had taken place in the 30 years of Azerbaijan's independence. The arrest of a secret Iranian intelligence group therefore adds fuel to a fire that has been raging for more than a year and whose future does not leave much room for optimism.