Iranian president Pezeshkian meets Azerbaijani leader Aliyev to improve ties

Iran and Azerbaijan move to repair relations as President Pezeshkian meets President Aliyev in Baku.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev (right) welcomes Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (left) during a ceremony in Baku, Azerbaijan, on April 28, 2025. (c) Handout/Anadolu

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian met with Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev in Baku on Monday, marking a significant effort to repair strained relations between Iran and Azerbaijan. The meeting, which took place during Pezeshkian's rare visit to the neighboring country, underscored a desire from both sides to move past years of mistrust and diplomatic friction.

The visit comes after a lengthy period of tension, driven primarily by Azerbaijan’s close military and political cooperation with Israel, Iran’s regional arch-rival. The January 2023 attack on Azerbaijan’s embassy in Tehran further escalated hostilities, leading to the closure of Azerbaijan’s diplomatic mission and tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats by both countries.

However, Iranian president Pezeshkian’s trip to Baku and his talks with president Aliyev suggest that the two nations are seeking to turn the page. Last week, Pezeshkian had already expressed hopes for a “rapid and serious improvement” in relations, emphasizing the importance of mutual cooperation in regional matters.

Tensions and slow recovery after 2023 embassy attack

Iran and Azerbaijan have struggled to rebuild trust since the deadly assault on Azerbaijan’s embassy in Tehran in early 2023. A gunman stormed the building, killing an Azerbaijani diplomat and injuring two security personnel. Iranian authorities condemned the attack but attributed it to a personal dispute rather than a political motive, an explanation that failed to satisfy Baku.

In the wake of the attack, Azerbaijan immediately shut down its embassy and tensions spiraled further as both governments expelled diplomats. Although Iran later prosecuted and sentenced the attacker to death in late 2023, relations remained largely frozen until Azerbaijan agreed to reopen its embassy in Tehran in mid-2024. The reopening paved the way for Monday’s high-level meeting between Iranian president Pezeshkian and Azerbaijani president Aliyev.

Signs of a thaw between Iran and Azerbaijan

Ahead of his visit to Baku, Iranian president Pezeshkian signaled his commitment to rebuilding trust, stating that Iran was ready for "serious efforts" to enhance cooperation. His remarks aligned with a broader diplomatic push within Tehran to reset its relationships across the region.

One clear indication of the warming ties came in November, when Iranian and Azerbaijani naval forces conducted joint exercises in the Caspian Sea. The two-day drills, reported widely in Iranian state media, marked the first such coordinated operation in years and suggested a growing willingness to collaborate on security issues.

During Monday’s discussions, Pezeshkian and Aliyev reportedly addressed a range of topics, including economic cooperation, regional stability, and border security. Both sides emphasized that peaceful dialogue, not confrontation, would best serve their national interests.

The Israel factor and Iran’s lingering concerns

Despite these positive developments, significant challenges remain. Tehran has long harbored concerns about Azerbaijan’s close ties to Israel. Israeli companies have been major suppliers of advanced weaponry to Baku, and Iranian officials fear that Israeli intelligence services could use Azerbaijani territory to launch operations against Iran.

During his meeting with Aliyev, Iranian president Pezeshkian is believed to have raised these security concerns. Iranian officials have repeatedly stressed the need for "neutrality" among their neighbors and warned against foreign influence near Iran’s borders.

Azerbaijan, for its part, has carefully navigated its alliances, balancing its need for strong defense partnerships with efforts to avoid alienating powerful neighbors like Iran. While Baku values its strategic ties with Israel, it has also recognized the benefits of maintaining constructive relations with Tehran, particularly in trade and energy sectors.

Disputes over the Zangezur corridor project

Another sticking point in Iran-Azerbaijan relations has been the proposed Zangezur corridor — a direct land link between Azerbaijan and Turkey. The project would traverse southern Armenia, running close to the Iranian border, and would offer Azerbaijan unimpeded access to its exclave of Nakhchivan.

Iran has vehemently opposed the Zangezur corridor plan, viewing it as a threat to its regional influence and a potential destabilizer of Armenian territorial integrity. Iranian officials fear that the corridor could cut Iran off from Armenia, a country Tehran sees as a critical partner in the South Caucasus region.

During Monday’s talks, it is likely that Iranian president Pezeshkian reiterated Tehran’s opposition to the project. Iran has consistently advocated for open borders and connectivity initiatives that do not alter internationally recognized frontiers or threaten its own economic and strategic interests.

Ethnic Azerbaijani minority within Iran

Beyond geopolitical issues, internal dynamics also play a role in Iran’s cautious approach to its northern neighbor. Iran is home to a sizable ethnic Azerbaijani minority, estimated at around 10 million people out of a population of 83 million.

Iranian leaders have historically been wary of separatist sentiments among this group, fearing that external encouragement — whether from Baku or elsewhere — could stir unrest. By maintaining stable relations with Azerbaijan, Tehran hopes to mitigate any potential ethnic tensions at home.

Broader regional context and Pezeshkian’s foreign policy

The meeting between Iranian president Pezeshkian and Azerbaijani leader Aliyev fits into a broader trend of diplomatic engagement by Iran’s new administration. Since taking office, Pezeshkian has prioritized efforts to normalize relations with neighbors, improve economic ties, and reduce regional tensions.

Under Pezeshkian’s leadership, Iran has also sought to recalibrate its foreign policy amid ongoing international pressure over its nuclear program and economic sanctions. Strengthening ties with immediate neighbors like Azerbaijan helps Iran diversify its diplomatic partnerships and reduce its isolation.

Baku, too, has shown interest in maintaining a balanced foreign policy. While Azerbaijan continues to strengthen its ties with Israel, Turkey, and Western countries, it also recognizes the strategic importance of stable relations with Iran — a neighbor that shares a long border and significant economic potential.

Outlook for Iran-Azerbaijan relations

The meeting between Iranian president Pezeshkian and Azerbaijani leader Aliyev represents an important milestone in the slow process of reconciliation between the two countries. While deep-seated differences, particularly concerning Israel and the Zangezur corridor, remain unresolved, the willingness to engage at the highest levels of government is a positive sign.

Analysts believe that pragmatic considerations — including trade, energy cooperation, and border security — will drive both Tehran and Baku to continue dialogue. However, the road to full normalization will likely be gradual, requiring patience, trust-building measures, and continued diplomatic engagement.

As regional dynamics evolve, the renewed Iran-Azerbaijan dialogue could contribute to broader stability in the South Caucasus, a region often marred by conflict and rivalry. For now, Iranian president Pezeshkian’s meeting with Azerbaijani president Aliyev signals a genuine, if cautious, attempt to heal old wounds and look toward a more cooperative future.