Iran Warns Azerbaijan to Keep Distance from US

Via Intelligence Summit -

On February 22, Azerbaijani media outlets reported that Iranian helicopters had violated the air space of Azerbaijan and by flying over the southern town of Astara for over 20 minutes. Reportedly, the flight took place right over the city administration building and caused considerable panic among the local residents.

Elchin Guliyev, the commander of the State Border Service of Azerbaijan, confirmed the news reports, noting that the Azerbaijani Embassy in Iran had been immediately notified of the violation of the country’s air space and that a note had been sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan to follow up with the problem. Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Khalaf Khalafov is currently visiting Iran to discuss this issue.

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Local analysts in Baku believe that the incident did not happen by accident. On the contrary, it is a clear warning to official Baku to stay out of the U.S.-led campaign against Iran’s nuclear program and not to support -- either politically or logistically -- any possible military action against Tehran. Azerbaijan, with its shared border with Iran, would serve as a perfect staging ground for anti-Iranian actions.

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This makes sense. Given that the Director of US Missile Defense recently said the following at a NATO meeting:

'we would like to place a radar in ... the Caucasus.'

However, Russia isn't very happy about this statement and is already talking about possible counter measures.

As stated in the above AP story - It is likely that placing another radar in a U.S.-allied country such as Georgia or Azerbaijan would provoke further protest.