28-01-2012 12:40:15

Iran rebuffs link to terror attacks thwarted in Baku

Iran has dismissed media reports saying a cell nabbed by Azerbaijani law enforcers last week over planned terror attacks targeting Israeli public figures in Baku was linked to the Iranian secret service agencies.

The Iranian embassy in Baku said in a statement that such “scenarios” are being masterminded by forces opposed to close relations between Iran and Azerbaijan.

“The latest scenario is aimed at covering up the recent terror attack committed against nuclear scientists by the Zionist regime,” it says. “Such actions were undoubtedly taken by the two countries’ enemies. Along with harming the image of the Islamic Republic of Iran, they target relations between the two countries.”

The statement added that such allegations cannot damage the strategic Iranian-Azerbaijani relations.

The Azerbaijani National Security Ministry said last week that two Azerbaijani nationals who planned attacks on foreign public figures in Baku had been seized. The crimes were ordered in August 2011 by a resident of the Iranian city of Ardabil, who is wanted over grave crimes and has connections with the Iranian secret service agencies, the ministry said. Israeli media reported that the intended victims were the Israeli ambassador and two employees of the Chabad Or Avner Jewish school in Baku. Israeli President Shimon Peres thanked Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday for the prevention of terror attacks, according to the Israeli president’s press office.

TAGS: Iran, Azerbaijan, terror attacks, Israeli public figures, Iranian embassy