For several months already Azerbaijan and Iran have been in a state of "cold war"

For several months already Azerbaijan and Iran have been in a state of "cold war." The arrest of the leader of the Islamic Party of Azerbaijan, the detection of a ramified network of Iranian spies in Baku and the response criticism of Ilham Aliev's policy are all links of the same chain,

"The tension between the two countries is growing, and the call by a group of Azeri MPs to rename Azerbaijan into North Azerbaijan is part of the Azeri-Iranian confrontation. The Azeri leaders are quite critical of Iran's policy, but they will hardly be among the activists of the anti-Iranian campaign. Their actions are mostly situational. Aliyev is hardly willing to slam the door in Iran's face. He will be vigilant and will try to play it safe. As regards MPs, they have mostly the same role in Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia and Turkey, i.e. to send out feelers," the expert said.

He believes that the key factor causing the tension is Iran's non- flexible policy. In the meantime, Azerbaijan is heading for a choice: who to be with. Iran, with its big Azeri minority, will hardly want to see Azerbaijan in the hostile camp and is therefore showing a stick and carrot attitude. One more factor is the Caspian Sea: Iran not only objects to the Caspian Convention but also warns that the war will give Azerbaijan nothing but problems.

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

The United States and Ukraine have signed a minerals deal after a two-month delay, in what President Donald Trump's administration called a new form of US commitment to Kyiv after the end of military aid. Ukraine said it secured key interests after protracted negotiations, including full sovereignty over its own rare earths, which are vital for new technologies and largely untapped. Trump had initially demanded rights to Ukraine's mineral wealth as compensation for US weapons sent under former president Joe Biden after Russia invaded just over three years ago.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

The United States and Ukraine have signed a minerals deal after a two-month delay, in what President Donald Trump's administration called a new form of US commitment to Kyiv after the end of military aid. Ukraine said it secured key interests after protracted negotiations, including full sovereignty over its own rare earths, which are vital for new technologies and largely untapped. Trump had initially demanded rights to Ukraine's mineral wealth as compensation for US weapons sent under former president Joe Biden after Russia invaded just over three years ago.