Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to Baku on Monday showcased how Iran is seeking stronger ties with Azerbaijan.
Historically, Iran enjoyed closer ties with Armenia, and Tehran’s relations with Baku were not always as warm. However, Iran wants to do more outreach in the South Caucasus, and it also wants to develop a north-south economic corridor. Baku is key to these initiatives.
Pezeshkian was officially welcomed by his Azerbaijani counterpart, President Ilham Aliyev, at Zagulba Presidential Palace, Iranian media said.
Iranian state media IRNA noted that “upon his arrival at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, Pezeshkian was greeted by Azerbaijan’s First Deputy Prime Minister Yagub Eyyubov and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Samir Sharifov.”
Pezeshkian believes that there is increased potential for bilateral cooperation.
Strategic ties between Iran and Azerbaijan
“There are good opportunities and grounds for cooperation with Azerbaijan,” he said. IRNA noted that this includes “trade, scientific, and economic issues as well as crossings between Iran, the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Russia [that] will be discussed” with Aliyev.”
Pezeshkian said, before leaving for Baku, “I hope these visits will lead to the development and growth in all fields... On the sidelines of the trip, Iranian businessmen, industrialists, and academics will discuss with their Azerbaijani counterparts the ways to expand collaboration.”
Iranian state media reports say this is part of a policy of regional diplomacy.
Iran is embarking on strengthening ties with Central Asia and also countries such as Azerbaijan. As Iran does this, it is also in talks with the US about a nuclear deal.
Azerbaijan is a partner of the West and enjoys warm ties with Washington. It also has strong ties with Israel. This makes the Iranian initiative important. The current US administration has backed a peace deal between Azerbaijan and Armenia. This comes as the US also hopes for a deal between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the US and Iran; and Hamas and Israel.
The US under the Trump administration is in a drive for peace, and Iran hopes it can also benefit from this new stability.