At the heart of this rapprochement lies a shared historical, cultural, and geopolitical reality that neither side can afford to overlook. Recent high-level meetings, including the visit of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Baku, underscore a mutual understanding that stability, cooperation, and dialogue must define the future of Iran-Azerbaijan relations.
Commitment to Strategic Relations
During the visit, President Pezeshkian made a pointed and reassuring declaration:
“Iran will make efforts to ensure that its relations with Azerbaijan are strategic across all spheres. We must not allow others to set us against one another.”
This message resonated deeply with the Azerbaijani leadership. Pezeshkian’s words acknowledged a historical reality—external forces have often sought to exploit regional divisions to their advantage. His statement was a clear indication that Iran is committed to bilateralism, regional autonomy, and fostering a direct line of communication with Baku without foreign mediation or interference.
President Ilham Aliyev, for his part, welcomed Pezeshkian’s visit as a positive development:
“Your visit is a reflection of the high level of relations between the two countries. Our peoples have lived for centuries in an atmosphere of friendship and brotherhood. Today, our interstate relations are developing on this solid foundation.”
Aliyev’s remarks highlighted the cultural and historical bonds that unite the two nations, emphasizing that political relations must be grounded in the centuries-old ties between their peoples.