Azerbaijan reopens embassy in Tehran amid expanding relations

Azerbaijan says it has reopened its embassy in Iran after more than a year of successful negotiations between the two neighboring countries to ease tensions.

“Following the negotiations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran, on July 15, 2024, the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Islamic Republic of Iran resumed its work at a new address. The Ambassador and the current diplomatic staff have returned to Iran,” Azerbaijani Press Agency (APA) cited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as saying in a press release.

“As a country of accreditation, Iran has taken appropriate measures to ensure security in front of our new embassy building in compliance with its obligation on diplomatic protection within the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations framework, the statement read.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said relevant measures are currently being taken to organize consular services at the new building, with further updates on the restoration of consular services forthcoming.

The resumption of the embassy’s work will contribute to the further development of Azerbaijan-Iran relations based on mutual respect and good neighborliness, and the implementation of the agreements reached between the two countries, the ministry stated.

Azerbaijan’s relations with Iran were strained in January 2023 following an attack on the country’s embassy in Tehran, which prompted Baku to close it and evacuate staff over what it called a “terrorist act.”

An initial Iranian investigation found that the attack was motivated by “personal and family-related issues.”

Iran’s late President Ebrahim Raeisi said on May 19 that relations with Azerbaijan were stronger than just two neighbors.

Iran-Azerbaijan ties stronger than mere neighbors: President Raeisi

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raeisi says relations with Azerbaijan go beyond merely two neighbors.

Raeisi made the remarks alongside Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during the inauguration ceremony of the Qiz Qalasi dam, which was built jointly by Iran and Azerbaijan on the Aras River at the common border.

“As Leader of the Islamic Revolution [Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei] said our relationship with the friendly, brotherly and neighboring country of Azerbaijan goes beyond neighborliness. Our relationship is a strong kinship bond that has roots in the beliefs of the two nations … and connects our history and civilization,” Raeisi said at the time.

“This heartfelt relationship between the two countries and the two nations is unbreakable.”

The late Iranian chief executive warned that enemies do not want to see progress in Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic.

President Raeisi passed away in a helicopter crash following that meeting with Aliyev. Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian was also on board the chopper that crashed on May 19.

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