Category: Azer News

Israel’s Channel 13 has reported new details of an alleged Mossad plan to overthrow Iran’s Islamic Republic by supporting a Kurdish armed incursion into northwestern Iran.

According to the report, the operation, code-named ‘Puss in Boots,’ was developed under former Mossad chief David Barnea following the June 2025 war with Iran. The plan reportedly envisioned Israeli and US airstrikes against Iranian Revolutionary Guard positions along the Iran-Iraq border, particularly in Iran’s Kurdish region, creating a corridor for Kurdish forces to enter Iranian territory.

Channel 13 reported that thousands of Kurdish fighters were brought to Israel for operational training as part of preparations for the proposed offensive. The Mossad reportedly expected the entry of the Kurdish forces to encourage thousands of additional young Kurds to join the movement and ultimately trigger a broader uprising against the Iranian government.

The strategy reportedly went beyond a limited Kurdish offensive. Israeli planners allegedly believed that a successful advance into northwestern Iran could spark mass demonstrations across the country and eventually lead to the collapse of the Islamic Republic.

A particularly striking element of the reported plan was the alleged role envisioned for former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. According to Channel 13, Mossad officials referred to him by the code name ‘The Friend’ and considered him as a potential political figure who could emerge following a regime collapse.

The proposed operation reportedly received initial US approval. During a February meeting between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, American officials asked about the readiness of the plan. Barnea reportedly estimated that overthrowing the Iranian government could take around a year, while then-Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir reportedly assessed that it could take as long as three years.

However, the plan was ultimately halted. According to Channel 13, Washington reversed its position roughly three days after the operation began, with a senior Israeli official quoted as saying that the US sent a message instructing the Kurdish forces to stop. Israeli officials reportedly attributed the reversal partly to pressure from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and opposition within the Trump administration, including from Vice President JD Vance.

The reports also indicate that Israeli strikes in northwestern Iran during the conflict were intended, at least in part, to facilitate the Kurdish advance by targeting Iranian security and military infrastructure in the region. The broader Kurdish operation, however, failed to develop as originally envisioned.

The allegations have not been independently verified in full, and Israeli authorities have not publicly confirmed the reported regime-change operation.

Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand cooperation in the oil and gas sector.

SOCAR said that its President Rovshan Najaf met with CNOOC Chairman Zhang Shengjian in Baku on September 1.

During the meeting, the sides discussed investment opportunities in offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production, as well as oil refining and petrochemicals.

They also reviewed opportunities for cooperation in international trade, the application of new technologies and efforts to improve operational efficiency.

As part of the meeting, SOCAR and CNOOC signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

The agreement envisages the implementation of joint upstream projects in Azerbaijan and other countries. It also provides for expanded cooperation in the oil and gas sector in areas including technical services, the supply of equipment and technologies, engineering, operations and technical support.

The agreement could provide a framework for the two companies to pursue joint upstream opportunities beyond Azerbaijan, while also strengthening cooperation in oil and gas technologies and services.

Evidently devoid of any grasp on international law or legal parlance, the leadership at Paris City Hall is now preparing to host a bespoke cultural spectacle performed by factions aligned with the Armenian diaspora. In itself, this can truly be described as a desperate exercise in political grandstanding. However, such cheap, theatrical protests or provocative stunts by politicians who have lost political relevance have nothing to do with genuine statecraft – they are mere clown shows.

That France should complicitly join such a charade is all the more ludicrous and deplorable. For a nation striving to flex its muscles and project itself as a titan within the European Union, indulging in such petty machinations severely diminishes its standing on the global stage. Indeed, official Paris’ collusion with and subservience to the Armenian diaspora is fast becoming an anomaly in international relations. In short, history yields few examples of a country possessing such economic potential degrading itself into a mere instrument for cheap political games.

Even during the Cold War, when a behemoth like the United States backed South Vietnam under the banner of combating communism, using the media for raw PR, it suffered substantial damage to its international credibility. Today, France clings to the skirts of an entity devoid of any sovereign statehood, seemingly eager to absorb it into its very bloodstream.

Paradoxically, putting aside political friction between Paris and Baku, both cultural and economic ties show a distinct propensity for growth. Neither the Azerbaijani students heading to France each year for higher education nor the French delegations visiting Baku to foster cultural ties would suggest that bilateral relations are genuinely strained. In reality, no fundamental tension exists. However, unable to find its footing within the broader geopolitical architecture, France consistently veers out of its orbit whenever confronted with the Armenian diaspora dilemma, casting kind of hostile glances toward Baku.

For a nation that purports to champion the principles of law and democracy, providing a platform for unwarranted theatricals does not impair Azerbaijan’s prestige in the slightest. Nor should the elements in France striving to upend bilateral ties gloat, thinking they have achieved a major coup. Their objective is transparent: any progress in negotiations between Baku and Yerevan is inherently anathematic to them.

It is no coincidence that whenever Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders convene in a third country for dialogue, factions of the Armenian diaspora re-emerge, whether in France or elsewhere. Having previously turned the streets of Brussels into an anthill during the 2022 Armenia-Azerbaijan leadership summit, these diaspora groups attempted the exact same manoeuvre. The underlying truth is clear: the diaspora’s primary motive is not the release of war criminals, but rather sabotaging any rapprochement between the two sovereign nations.

To what end? The answer is straightforward. Unlike domestic civil society groups in other nations, Armenian diaspora organisations serve foreign agendas rather than their homeland’s national interests. History bears constant witness to such dynamics, and today, as a mere fragment of that historical pattern, it takes little effort to see these diaspora groups acting as proxies for external powers.

All this notwithstanding, the most striking element remains the personal commitment to the Armenian diaspora shown by Audrey Pulvar, a former journalist and news anchor who transitioned into politics and currently serves as the Deputy Mayor of Paris in charge of International Relations, European Affairs, and the Francophonie. A brief glance at her trajectory reveals that, as a left-wing politician, Ms Pulvar has maintained tight links with French-Armenian diaspora organisations for years. Part of her motivation stems from a calculated attempt to consolidate her electoral base. For the ruling Socialist Party in Paris (led by Mayor Anne Hidalgo and backed by Pulvar), maintaining robust relations with groups like the Conseil de Coordination des organisations Arméniennes de France (CCAF) is critical for sustaining domestic electoral support.

Another compelling driver is the strategic leverage gained from aligning with the Armenian diaspora for political capital. Her close ties with Mourad “Franck” Papazian, co-chair of the aforementioned CCAF, and Ara Toranian, a fellow leader and journalist, are hardly accidental. Papazian himself is a polarising figure who was previously banned from entering Armenia and remains at deep odds with the Pashinyan administration. As noted, if the Armenian diaspora explicitly rejects the current peace agenda, what future can it possibly envision for the Armenian people? Presumably, only renewed conflict and casualties. In that light, the question of who backs such a diaspora apparatus, and to what end, answers itself.

Russia is providing Tehran with the necessary assistance during this difficult period, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Vladimir Putin noted that Russia also attaches great importance to expanding humanitarian cooperation with Iran.

The Russian president also emphasized that despite the current military and political situation, Russia and Iran have maintained last year’s momentum in trade and economic relations. He said this is supported by the regular and effective work of the intergovernmental commission.

Putin stressed that Russia stands in solidarity with the Iranian people as they defend their interests. He also asked Pezeshkian to convey his greetings and sincere support to Mojtaba Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.

In turn, the Iranian president thanked the Russian leader for his support.

“We thank you for the position Russia took during the war, throughout all the conflicts and US sanctions. You supported us both at the UN and in other international organizations,” he added.

Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has ordered the exclusion of the anti-Zionist ultra-Orthodox Jewish community Neturei Karta from an expanded civilian gun-licensing scheme in Beit Shemesh, Israel Hayom reported Monday.

The far-right minister has extended his firearms reform to Beit Shemesh, a city near Jerusalem with a large ultra-Orthodox population, allowing more residents to qualify for personal firearm licences.

Under the expanded criteria, eligibility is largely determined by applicants’ residential addresses. However, Israel Hayom reported that Israeli police and Ben Gvir’s office excluded streets where members of Neturei Karta reside from the areas covered by the new licensing rules.

As a result, while most residents of Beit Shemesh can now potentially qualify for a firearm licence, members of the anti-Zionist community living in the designated streets are excluded.

‘I am proud to continue the weapons reform and expand it to Beit Shemesh as well,’ Ben Gvir said, adding that residents who ‘love the State of Israel’ have a basic right to defend themselves and their families.

Israel significantly relaxed civilian gun-ownership requirements in October 2023. According to Israel Hayom, around 300,000 Israeli citizens have received gun licences since Ben Gvir took office, while residents of more than 200 communities, towns and cities are now eligible to apply.

The number of communities eligible for firearm licences increased by 126 in 2026 alone, according to The Jerusalem Post.

Neturei Karta is a small ultra-Orthodox movement that rejects Zionism and opposes the establishment of a Jewish state before the arrival of the Messiah, placing it at odds with the Israeli government’s ideological framework.

The closing and awards ceremony of the 5th SALAM International Children’s and Youth Film Festival has been held at the Nizami Cinema Center.

The four-day festival was a true celebration of cinema, creativity and communication. This year, the festival brought together around 440 children and teenagers, representatives of the film industry, cultural figures, international guests and foreign delegations.

Participants enjoyed a packed programme featuring screenings of contemporary films from different countries, meetings with directors and actors, creative discussions, master classes and the practical CINEMARATHON programme. For many young participants, the festival was not only an opportunity to watch films but also a chance to experience what it is like to work behind the screen.

Final day: From “Akinak” to films created by young filmmakers

The final day of the festival opened with a competition screening of “Akinak”, an Azerbaijani feature film directed by Elkhan Jafarov. The film was produced by Narimanfilm with the support of the Azerbaijan Republic Cinema Agency (ARKA).

Following the screening, the actors who played the leading roles met with young viewers. The participants asked questions about the making of the film, character development, the filming process and the actors’personal experiences.

The meeting was particularly engaging, with the discussion going far beyond a conventional question-and-answer session. The opportunity to speak directly with the film’s cast became one of the highlights of the festival’s final day.

Another programme highlight was the screening of “Between Two Stones”, a short film by Ilkin Zafarli, a director and mentor of the festival. After the screening, the director spoke to the audience about the film’s artistic concept and shared insights into the process of making short films.

Such meetings are an important part of SALAM. Here, a film does not end with its final frame – it becomes the starting point for discussion and analysis, as viewers ask questions, engage with the filmmakers and explore the message conveyed by the work.

Young filmmakers create their own films

CINEMARATHON traditionally holds a special place in the festival programme. Over several days, participants worked in teams and independently went through almost the entire filmmaking process – from developing an idea and writing a script to filming, editing and preparing their finished projects for screening.

On the final day, the young filmmakers completed their projects together with professional editors from Narimanfilm and members of the SALAM team.

Then came one of the most eagerly anticipated moments: their films were screened on the big screen.

The themes addressed in the films were serious and relevant. This year’s CINEMARATHON theme was “A Stranger Among Your Own, One of Your Own Among Strangers.” Through the language of cinema, participants explored bullying, loneliness, psychological pressure, social rejection, the search for one’s place, mutual respect and acceptance of individuality.

The short films demonstrated not only the participants’ creative potential but also their ability to address important social issues.

The organizers also highlighted the noticeable professional growth of participants who have attended SALAM more than once. They have become more confident in working with shot composition, dramaturgy, editing and visual storytelling, while also learning to distribute responsibilities more effectively and make collective creative decisions.

Once again, CINEMARATHON demonstrated that for young participants, cinema is not merely entertainment but a way to express their views and speak about issues that matter to their generation.

Main awards presented to young jury members’ favourites

The festival reached its culmination with the official closing ceremony.

Azerbaijan Deputy Culture Minister Saadat Yusifova was the guest of honour at the event. Representatives of the Azerbaijan Culture Ministr, ARKA, the Nizami Cinema Center, figures from the film and cultural sectors, international guests, partners, mentors, volunteers and festival participants also attended the ceremony.

One of SALAM’s distinctive features is that children and teenagers serve as the main jury members of the competition programme. They watch and discuss the films and decide which productions have made the strongest impression on them.

Following the results of the festival, the main award for Best Feature Film went to the Indonesian film “Tegar”, directed by Anggi Frisca. The award was personally presented by Azerbaijan’s Deputy Culture Minister Saadat Yusifova.

The Special Jury Prize was awarded to the Azerbaijani film “Akinak”, directed by Elkhan Jafarov. The award was presented to the film’s producer, Nariman Mammadov, by Turan Mammadli, acting director of the Nizami Cinema Center.

The Special Festival Organizers’ Prize went to the Polish film “Oskar, Patka i Zloto Baltyku” (“Oskar, Patka and the Baltic Gold”), directed by Magdaleny Niec and Mariusza Paleja.

SALAM Film Festival Bids Farewell Until Next Year

At the end of the ceremony, festival General Manager Tamara Mammadova thanked everyone who contributed to the preparation and organisation of the anniversary edition of SALAM, including participants, international guests, representatives of government institutions, filmmakers, partners, mentors, editors, volunteers and the entire festival team.

Addressing the young participants, she delivered a phrase that became something of a motto for the festival’s finale: “We are not saying ‘goodbye’ to you. We are saying ‘salam’ until next year.”

Those words perhaps captured the atmosphere of the closing ceremony better than anything else.

The festival came to an end amid an atmosphere of friendship and strong emotions. The participants hugged, exchanged contact details, thanked their new friends and did not hide their tears.

Over the four days, many participants not only discovered contemporary cinema but also made friends from other countries, worked in creative teams and gained their first hands-on experience in filmmaking.

Festival’s Journey Continues

The 5th anniversary SALAM International Children’s and Youth Film Festival was organised by Narimanfilm.

The festival’s main sponsor was PASHA Holding. The festival was held with the state support of the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan and ARKA.

The Nizami Cinema Center provided the venue for the festival, while Nine Senses Arts Center served as a special partner of the cultural and educational programme.

The organizers expressed their gratitude to all partners, government institutions, international guests, filmmakers, mentors, volunteers and participants who contributed to the success of the anniversary festival.

The fifth edition of SALAM has come to an end, but its story does not end here.

Participants are taking home new knowledge, their first professional skills, films they created themselves, new acquaintances and lasting friendships. For some of them, this festival may become the first step towards a future career in cinema.

SALAM is not saying goodbye to its participants. It is simply saying: see you next year!

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az and Milli.Az.

On September 1, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic, according to a post shared on the head of state’s official X account.

‘On the margins of the SCO Summit in Bishkek, had an exchange of views with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on our bilateral agenda,’ the President of Azerbaijan noted in his post.

Israel has held meetings with senior officials from Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and received RSF delegations in Tel Aviv during Sudan’s ongoing war, according to an investigation by Africa Intelligence.

The investigation, published Friday, found that two RSF delegations travelled to Tel Aviv, one in May 2025 and another in February 2026. Members of the delegations reportedly met officials from the Africa Division of Israel’s Foreign Ministry as well as Israeli intelligence officials.

According to the report, the contacts were part of a broader security and intelligence relationship between Israel and the RSF that predates the outbreak of Sudan’s war in April 2023. The relationship reportedly included security cooperation and may have involved the transfer of surveillance technologies to the paramilitary group.

The first delegation reportedly included Abdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, deputy commander of the RSF and brother of its leader Mohamed Hamdan ‘Hemedti’ Dagalo, as well as another brother, Algoney Hamdan Dagalo.

Abdul Rahim and Algoney reportedly returned to Israel in February 2026, accompanied by RSF legal adviser Ezzadean Elsafi.

Africa Intelligence reported that the relationship between Hemedti’s associates and Israeli officials was not newly established during the current conflict, with contacts between the two sides having continued for years.

Israel has historically maintained contacts with both major sides of Sudan’s political and military establishment. While its Foreign Ministry and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office engaged with the Sudanese Armed Forces, the RSF reportedly maintained contacts primarily through Mossad.

Sudan formally joined the Abraham Accords process in January 2021, becoming the third Arab-majority country to agree to normalise relations with Israel after the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

The reported Israeli contacts with the RSF come amid international scrutiny of the paramilitary force over alleged atrocities committed during the Sudanese conflict.

In February, the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan said the RSF’s October siege and capture of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, displayed ‘hallmarks of genocide.’

Sudan’s war, which began in April 2023 as a power struggle between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces, has since developed into one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with both sides accused of widespread violations against civilians.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has proposed the establishment of a Parliamentary Assembly within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

According to the information service of the Iranian Presidential Office, Pezeshkian made the proposal during the SCO summit in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.

‘Iran has proposed establishing a Parliamentary Assembly of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to strengthen interparliamentary dialogue among member states, facilitate the exchange of legislative experience and support cooperation,’ Pezeshkian said.

He also stressed the need to strengthen the organization’s capabilities in combating terrorism, radicalism and emerging security threats.

In this regard, Iran has proposed establishing a strategic center for security studies within the SCO. According to Pezeshkian, the center could draw on the scientific and professional capabilities of member states to assess developments and provide specialized recommendations aimed at strengthening regional security and stability.

‘Iran believes that the future of multilateralism depends on maintaining dialogue and creating effective mechanisms for cooperation,’ Pezeshkian said.

He added that Iran was ready to play an active and constructive role in strengthening the SCO’s importance and position in regional and international cooperation, while supporting new initiatives aimed at enhancing the organization’s unity, effectiveness and solidarity.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit is being held in Bishkek, where leaders of the organization’s member states are discussing regional cooperation, security and other issues.

Sweet, soft and fragrant, the fig is one of those fruits that seems to capture summer in a single bite.

Fresh from the tree, it has a delicate sweetness and juicy texture; dried, its flavour becomes deeper and richer. Alongside its taste, figs are valued for their fibre, natural sugars, minerals and other nutrients, making them a popular part of a balanced diet.

In Azerbaijan, however, the fig means more than what is on the plate. Particularly in Absheron, fig trees have long been part of the local landscape, gardens and household traditions. Families have enjoyed the fruit fresh during the summer, dried it for later use and turned it into jams, preserves, compotes and homemade sweets.

The fruit has also found a place in Azerbaijani cuisine, where seasonal produce has traditionally been treated with care and imagination. A ripe fig can be enjoyed on its own, served alongside other foods or transformed into a sweet preserve that brings the flavour of summer to the table long after the season has ended.

Perhaps that is why the fig carries such a strong sense of place. Its flavour recalls warm days, village gardens, family kitchens and the generosity associated with Azerbaijani hospitality. In Absheron, it is not simply something that grows in the garden – it is part of the character of the region.

This connection between food, land and tradition was at the heart of a recent celebration at the Gala State Historical and Ethnographic Reserve, where the familiar summer fruit became the centre of an entire festival.

With organisational support from the Administration of the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve and in partnership with the Social and Ecological Center EkoSfera, the Fig Festival brought together gastronomy, traditional crafts, music, entertainment and family activities.

For a day, Gala Reserve became a colourful world dedicated to one of Absheron’s most recognisable fruits.

The festival presented the fig not simply as a seasonal delicacy but as part of the cultural heritage of the region. Its story is closely connected with the land itself and with the people who have cultivated, harvested and prepared it over generations.

Visitors had the chance to explore this connection through a programme designed for both adults and children. Workshops introduced guests to traditional crafts, while puppet theatre, musical performances, dances and presentations added to the festive atmosphere.

The setting played its own part. Gala’s historical environment, combined with decorations inspired by the fruit and the landscape of Absheron, gave visitors the feeling of stepping into a summer scene from another era.

Among the most popular attractions were the festival’s colourful photo areas. Guests posed beside the specially decorated “Fig Phaeton” and “Magic Fig Wall”, while haystacks added another distinctly rural touch to the setting.

But the real centre of attention was, naturally, the food. The festival’s “Fig Laboratory” became a meeting place for those curious to taste the fruit in its many forms. Visitors could sample different varieties of figs and compare their distinctive flavours and aromas, discovering how much variety can be hidden behind one familiar name.

The tasting experience also offered a glimpse into the richness of Azerbaijan’s agricultural traditions. Different varieties can vary in colour, sweetness, texture and fragrance, and each has its own character when eaten fresh or prepared for the table.

For generations, Azerbaijani households have found ways to preserve the abundance of summer. Fig jam is among the best-known examples. Carefully prepared preserves allow the fruit’s sweetness and aroma to remain part of the household pantry beyond the short harvest season.

Dried figs offer another way of extending that summer taste. Once dried, the fruit becomes denser and sweeter, making it convenient to store and enjoy throughout the year. Compotes and other homemade preparations have likewise helped make seasonal fruit part of everyday family traditions.

These simple practices tell a larger story about Azerbaijani cuisine. Food traditions are often shaped not by complicated recipes but by what grows nearby, what families have access to and what they learn from one generation to the next.

The fig is a good example. A fruit that begins with a tree in an Absheron garden can eventually become jam in a family kitchen, a dried delicacy on a winter table or the centrepiece of a festival celebrating the region’s heritage.

That journey from the land to the table was reflected throughout the festival.

Craftspeople demonstrated traditional skills, performers brought music and dance to the programme, children took part in activities, and families moved between the different areas of the reserve. The result was a celebration in which gastronomy was closely connected with history and creativity.

There was also something nostalgic about the event. The decorations, haystacks, traditional crafts and open-air setting evoked the atmosphere of an old-fashioned summer gathering, while the festival format gave those traditions a contemporary setting.

The Gala State Historical and Ethnographic Reserve was a fitting location. The reserve preserves examples of the traditional way of life of the Absheron Peninsula, allowing visitors to see how people lived, worked and produced goods in the past.

Against that backdrop, the fig became a small but vivid link between the region’s natural environment and its cultural memory.

It is easy to overlook familiar foods. A fruit that appears on the table every summer may seem ordinary precisely because it has always been there. Festivals such as this one offer a chance to look at such everyday products differently – to see the history behind the taste.

The fig also reflects the generosity of the Azerbaijani table. Seasonal fruits have long played a role in welcoming guests, preparing preserves for the household and sharing food with family and neighbours. The act of preparing and offering food is closely tied to hospitality, and the fig fits naturally into that tradition.

At Gala Reserve, this familiar fruit brought together people of different ages and interests. Children discovered its taste and varieties, adults explored traditional crafts and cuisine, and visitors had the chance to experience a part of Absheron’s rural heritage in a festive setting.

The celebration showed that cultural heritage does not always have to be found in grand monuments or historic documents. Sometimes it is sitting on a kitchen table, growing behind a house or being prepared according to a recipe remembered from childhood.

The fig is one such example.Its sweetness may be simple, but the story behind it is not. It speaks of Azerbaijan’s climate and landscape, the gardens of Absheron, family traditions, seasonal cooking and the habit of preserving what nature provides.