Axar.az presents an interview with former Foreign Minister, political analyst Tofig Zulfugarov:

- Pentagon's plane was crashed as a result of the IRGC attack on the US base in Iraq. How do you evaluate Iran`s this strike? Was it necessary?

- It is difficult to say whether it is necessary. Given the policy pursued by the Iranian state, it was an expected move. Iran's military capabilities are not so high that it can strike US territory. It should be noted that the US strike and the killing of the Iranian general, as a result, have never occurred in Iran. From this point of view, the blow to the Iraqi territory shows that both the Iranian government and the US see it as a continuation of the old proxy war between them.

- What happened after this and Iran's response caused serious concern. Could this cause an escalation in the region?

- At this stage, of course, there is a high probability that the conflict will reach a higher level. The release of missiles into Iraq shows that Iran wants to solve this at the proxy level, at the level of military units not affiliated with one or another country. It should be noted that Soleimani was a military general of the Iranian state and the range of operations was beyond Iran. From this point of view, Iran's latest blow was a sign of the continuation of a kind of proxy-based conflict. It will mostly depend on the US response. Iran is also expected to make an official statement. After these statements, it will be easier to reach any conclusions.

- Russian experts are already talking about a possible US nuclear strike and the possibility of a direct blow to Iran by wing-type missiles. Is this possible?

- Iran feels somewhat relieved of open war. Again, I think that we will be able to reach a more convincing conclusion after the statements made by the parties.