As Israeli jets tore through Iranian airspace on the night of June 12–13, targeting facilities linked to the IRGC missile program in Isfahan and Bushehr, the Middle East lurched toward a frighteningly familiar abyss. Internet outages, partial mobilization in Iran, regional air defenses on high alert, and rhetoric out of Tel Aviv warning of “threats neutralized from a distance” made one thing clear: this was no ordinary exchange of warnings. For the first time in years, a direct confrontation between two regional powers had crossed the threshold.

This restraint has not gone unnoticed, nor has it been left unchallenged. Almost immediately after the Israeli operation targeting missile infrastructure in Isfahan and Bushehr, a digital disinformation campaign lit up the internet. Telegram channels with Russian and Armenian leanings circulated allegations that Azerbaijan had provided logistical support for the attacks. “Israeli planes took off from Fuzuli,” they claimed, presenting crudely altered maps, radar screenshots, and sensational claims unsupported by geolocation, satellite imagery, or common sense.

Let’s be clear: the distance from Fuzuli to Isfahan is over 800 kilometers. Israeli F-35s—equipped with advanced refueling capabilities—require no assistance from Azerbaijan to carry out such operations. Military analysts, including those at The Aviationist and Jane’s Defence, confirm that Azerbaijan played no role in the strike. No independent radar, including FlightRadar24 or the Israeli SkyLock system, registered any Azerbaijani military activity near Iran. And yet, the accusations persist.

Why is Azerbaijan being targeted in this information war? The answer lies in a blend of historical grievances, regional power dynamics, and geopolitical jealousy. Armenian political operatives, frustrated by Azerbaijan’s increasing regional relevance and military victories in Garabagh, have repeatedly tried to paint the country as an........

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