David Kon

What do you think about the reports that Iran has accused Azerbaijan of assistance to Israeli security bodies in termination of the Iranian nuclear physicist?
 
These are just the assumptions of Iranian leaders. No one proved that the Iranian physicist was terminated by Israeli securities bodies. And no one has the evidence that they were assisted by people in Baku. Iran also accused the US reconnaissance and British Mi-6 for terminating the physicist. All the same the police of Tehran states that the investigation of this murder continues. How can anyone accuse if the investigation continues?

How true can be the information from an Israeli scout who said in British press that Israeli security bodies actively use Azerbaijan for collection of information related to Iran? 
 
It is absolutely untrue. And not because the Mossad is a highly moral secret service, which would not use the territory of a friendly state to create a reference point. No. Of course, it will, if possible. But I do not believe that any of the agents of Mossad would admit that he is a Mossad agent, secondly, he would not agree to meet a British journalist in the center of the city and, thirdly, he would never give an interview. This is impossible. And again, not because Mossad works with only highly moral people who would never dare to such a breach of discipline. Simply, Mossad planned a strict monitoring system for its people, especially abroad, especially in a country that borders on our most important enemy. Any agent of the Mossad knows that he is  being watched by dozens of eyes and such a thing as an unauthorized interview would put an end to his career. So, the journalist was likely hoaxed by a who presented himself as an agent of Mossad. On the other hand, the operation could be conceived and carried out by the secret services of Israel and Azerbaijan, which for some reason needed such leakage in press. But I don’t know what for. But even if this is so, then the operation was very clumsy and unconvincing.

Are the relations between Azerbaijan and Israel the only factor annoying Iran in the Azerbaijani policy?
 
Certainly, not. The matter is rather about the way the Azerbaijani leadership, primarily, its president  have chosen for the country. Azerbaijan has become a secular dynamically development state. This annoys the Iranian regime. Iran sees Azerbaijan only as its vassal. The vassal must follow the policy of his suzerain in everything. In other words, if Azerbaijan agreed to become an Islamic republic in the worst sense-to cover women with headscarves, to refuse the world culture-Iran could become… not a friend, but rather a patron for Azerbaijan. Secular Azerbaijan is a threat for Iran. It shows the Iranian youth an example the way the people can live using their natural wealth not for the confrontation with the world or some  absurd ideas but the prosperity of their country. Iran dreams of creating a new Caliphate that will conquer the whole Middle East, south of Russia and Europe and become the second superpower, able to compete the United States. For this idea, Iran spends billions for armament and nuclear weapon, as well as for export of Islamic revolution. Secular Azerbaijan has no place in this plan of Iran.

Can the diplomatic and economic tensions around Iran grow into West’s war against this country?
 
The possibility is quite high but provided that Iran continues to raise tensions. It will continue doing this unless it gets sure that the military threat is real and close. As long as the West is hesitating, Iran has no sense to reduce tensions around its nuclear program.  As long as Russia and China support Iran in UN, Iran sees no sense in ceasing works on nuclear facilities. And therefore, it turns out that Russia and China provoke and make the military development of the script around Iran closer. The script is so avoided by the West and Israel.

How can the ethnic Azerbaijanis in Iran be used in the anti-Iranian offensive?
 
I cannot answer this question since I am not aware of the sentiments among Iranian Azerbaijanis and their attitude to authorities in Tehran, but I am sure that the division of Azerbaijan into northern and southern parts was quite an artificial case, caused by the clashes between Russia and Turkey, between different military blocs in period of the First World War and I do not understand why the two parts of the same people must live in different states. I think that one day South Azerbaijan will become part of the Republic of Azerbaijan and your country will turn into a new regional power. You have all opportunities for this including natural resources, developed infrastructure attitude of the world community. I think the situation in the Middle East leads to this.

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