The Jerusalem Post: Iran seeks to improve relations with Azerbaijan

Tehran wants better rail and road links, which dovetails with Pezeshkian’s drive to improve the energy and transportation links between the states, The Jerusalem Post writes.

As noted, Iran has been seeking to improve its ties with Azerbaijan, which have been strained over the past half-decade due to Azerbaijan’s relations with Israel. Tehran appears to have shifted course now, however, and it is publicly seeking better ties with Baku. This is likely linked to Iran’s need to shore up its diplomatic ties with regional countries after losing powerful allies in Hezbollah and the Assad regime. Turkey is on Iran’s radar, and Tehran already has close ties with Armenia. Iran and Russia recently signed a bilateral agreement as well.

To remind, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Akbar Ahmadian met with Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev.

The meeting discussed issues related to the development of all aspects of bilateral relations and the latest events in the South Caucasus region.

Earlier, during a meeting in Tehran, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev discussed strengthening bilateral relations in the economic sphere.

Pezeshkian highlighted the importance of cooperation with Azerbaijan and that of expanding mutual ties with it. Mustafayev, in turn, emphasized Iran’s importance in ensuring peace and stability in the region.