The ongoing military confrontation between the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America has once again exposed our region to serious dangers. The possibility of an expansion of the conflict raises profound concerns for the security of South Azerbaijan, the lives of our nation, and the stability of the region. The Cooperation Council of South Azerbaijani Organizations (GATƏŞ) once again declares that this war is not the war of the South Azerbaijani Turks, and that our nation is not a party to this confrontation, which has arisen outside its own will. The Azerbaijani Turkish Nation does not accept the use of its historic homeland for military purposes, whether by the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran or by any armed organization. The transformation of South Azerbaijan into a platform for missiles, military bases, or armed operations is contrary to the will of our people and places their security at serious risk. We strongly condemn and denounce the expansionist policies pursued by Iran’s fascist regime, which have heightened tensions in the region and have been directed particularly against neighboring states, including Arab countries.
GATƏŞ emphasizes that one of the principal causes of the current dangerous situation in the region is the ideological, terror-supporting, and militarized foreign policy that the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran has pursued over many years. This policy has led to persistent regional tensions, an arms race, and the escalation of armed conflicts, thereby seriously threatening the security of all peoples of the region. GATƏŞ considers the decades-long war-oriented, expansionist, and destabilizing policies of the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran to be unacceptable. GATƏŞ believes that the only path to ensuring lasting peace and stability in the region is for states to respect international law, abandon foreign policies based on the use of force, and recognize and guarantee, in accordance with the norms and principles of international law, the rights of peoples, particularly the South Azerbaijani Turks, to self-determination and self-governance.
Under the current circumstances, various military scenarios are being discussed. Against this backdrop, there are also concerns regarding the entry of various armed groups into the territory of South Azerbaijan and their activities there. In this regard, GATƏŞ explicitly declares that any unlawful armed activity in the territory of South Azerbaijan that endangers the security of our people, the integrity of our historic homeland, and our national existence is unacceptable. Such acts, regardless of the identity of those who carry them out, will be regarded as a threat directed against Azerbaijan. Any unlawful armed activity carried out within the territory of South Azerbaijan shall be considered an act of terrorism against our people and shall be assessed as a serious threat to the security of our nation. Just as the Azerbaijani Turks do not accept the use of our homeland by the Islamic Republic of Iran for military purposes, they likewise do not accept the activities of non-state armed groups in South Azerbaijan.
Our nation possesses the legitimate right to self-defense as recognized by international law and is determined to defend itself within the framework of this right against any armed threat that endangers our lives, property, historic homeland, and national existence.
We once again emphasize that this conflict does not belong to our people, nor are they a party to it. Our people regard the protection of the security of our homeland, our territorial integrity, and our national will as their fundamental principle. GATƏŞ once again states that our nation has for many years been engaged in a peaceful and democratic struggle against the political and national discrimination imposed by the Iranian regime. The principal objective of our struggle is the establishment of a democratic national government based upon the free will of our people under the principles of “Liberty, Justice, and National Government.” The destiny of South Azerbaijan can only be determined by the free will of its own people.
Long live our path of “Liberty, Justice, and National Government”!
Cooperation Council of South Azerbaijani Organizations (GATƏŞ)
2026/07/25
- Azerbaijan Democratic Party (ADP)
- Azerbaijan Center Party (ACP)
- Azerbaijan National Resistance Organization (Resistance)
- Azerbaijan Student Movement (AZOH)
- South Azerbaijan Democratic Party (SADP)
- South Azerbaijan Independence Party (SAIP)
- South Azerbaijan National State Alliance (NSA)
- South Azerbaijan Liberation Party (SALP)
