Security Guard Killed in Attack on Azerbaijan's Tehran Embassy

Facts

• An assault rifle attack on Azerbaijan’s embassy in Tehran on Friday left the head of security dead and two other guards injured, prompting Azerbaijan to evacuate its diplomatic personnel.
• A video from the scene showed the attacker forcing his way into the embassy through the guard post, shooting at two men before a third embassy employee wrestled him away. Iranian authorities said an investigation is underway.
• Azerbaijan’s Pres. Ilham Aliyev deemed the attack an unacceptable terrorist act, demanding a swift investigation and for the perpetrator to be held accountable. The Foreign Ministry highlighted previous threats to its diplomatic staff and Iran's alleged lack of sensitivity to its appeals.
• While Baku went on to blame Iran for the attack saying it was encouraged by Iran’s “anti-Azerbaijani campaign,” Iran's judiciary news agency Mizan claimed that the attacker was angry over his missing wife, who allegedly visited the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran. The report suggested that the attacker was disgruntled that the embassy did not respond to his inquiries.
• The incident comes as tensions between the two nations have escalated in recent months over Iran’s treatment of its Azeri minority population and over Azerbaijan’s recent decision to appoint an ambassador to Israel.
• Turkey, a rival of Iran and ally of Azerbaijan, issued a statement condemning the attack and expressing that its support to Azerbaijan will continue “without interruption, as it always has.”

Sources: Al Jazeera, Washington Post, BBC News, CNN, Reuters, Times of Israel

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Aze Media. Tehran officials may try to deflect blame and say the attack was perpetrated by a rogue man with “personal issues,” but there is no denying that Iran is ultimately responsible for the brutal attack on the Azeri Embassy. Iran has been pushing its anti-Azerbaijan campaign and its constant propaganda has, on some level, led to the death of an Azeri embassy guard.
• Narrative B, as provided by Tasnim. Iran is deeply saddened by the attack on Azerbaijan’s embassy and is making its investigation of the incident a high priority. The initial investigation suggests that personal motives caused the attack. Iranian law enforcement will act decisively to address the issue and serve justice.