Nournews: The visit of Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran’s President, to the Azerbaijan Republic is a turning point in the process of restoring and reconstructing ties between the two neighboring countries; ties that, following the armed attack on the Azerbaijan Republic in Tehran in the winter of 2022, became distrusted and tense. Although this tragic incident was accompanied by a firm response from Iranian officials, it very clearly caused cold relations and a temporary retreat of the Azerbaijan Republic from some joint collaborations. However, Iran’s active diplomacy and reciprocal determination to pass through this crisis gradually paved the way for a return to constructive interaction.
The Republic of Azerbaijan, as Iran’s northern neighbor, is one of the main players in the Caucasus region, and its strategic relation with Tehran is of high importance. In recent months, the exchanges of political boards, security visits, and the reopening of dialogue routes showed that the two sides are aware of the importance of mutual ties. Therefore, the visit of Iran’s president to Baku was not only a formative move but also a logical move to restore trust, deepen ties, and improve Iran’s role in the developments of the Caucasus.
Regional developments, particularly chronic conflicts between the Azerbaijan Republic and Armenia over Karabakh, have always affected the security equation in the Caucasus. The Islamic Republic of Iran, which has always emphasized maintaining stability and improving regional ties, has tried to replace a political solution with military conflict through its principled position regarding the support of the total integrity of the Azerbaijan Republic and the necessity of ending the Karabakh occupation over the years of conflict.
The role of international players, some media, and security streams must not be neglected, though. They are seeking to weaken Tehran-Baku ties with divisive schemes. Among these threats is the presence of the Zionist regime in the military projects of Azerbaijan and the Western attempts to isolate Iran in transit routes, as well as fanning the flames of border and ethnic tensions. Despite these obstacles, the warm welcome of Azerbaijani officials to Iran’s president signifies the determination of the two administrations to overcome these challenges and return to the path of collaboration.
In addition to official visits and the signing of collaboration documents, topics such as the expansion of economic ties, increasing the exchange of energy, and the execution of infrastructural joint projects were emphasized. By relying on their geopolitical position, Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan want to play an active role in the North-South transit chain and the regional trade routes. Within this framework, Iran’s northern passages and the country’s southern ports are key for future collaborations.
From cultural and scientific approaches, the deep historical, religious, and linguistic commonalities of the two nations have provided extended capabilities for deep collaborations. Academic collaborations, teaching Persian and Turkish languages, and the establishment of joint cultural centers and scientific projects in the fields of nano, medicine, and smart agriculture are among the fields that can bring depth to the sustainable bonds of the two countries. These popular interactions, unlike political fluctuations, have always remained a suitable environment for strengthening ties.
Finally, the visit by Dr. Pezeshkian to Baku was a strategic opportunity to overcome past misunderstandings, design a new roadmap for mutual ties, and stabilize Iran’s position as a trustworthy partner in the Caucasus. Currently, Tehran and Baku, with the support of political determination and public backing, can envision a bright, stable, and convergent future for the region.
NOURNEWS