What lies behind Iran and Azerbaijan’s Diplomatic Tension?

Ebu Masum Mucahit

Tensions have been rising in recent years in the relations between the neighbouring countries of Iran and Azerbaijan, both of whose populations are predominantly Muslim. The nature of the policies pursued by these two nations, as well as the sway of nations with vested interests in regional wars, are crucial to understanding the current crisis. For instance, the relationship between Iran and Armenia and that of Azerbaijan and Israel has largely contributed to the escalation of tensions between the two countries.

Regional Influence

In 2020, Azerbaijan fought back against the seized Nagorno-Karabakh territory, an extensive portion of its territory, which it lost to Armenian occupation 30 years before. During the occupation, Iran, which could have been on Azerbaijan’s side, rendered assistance to Armenia in a massacre carried out on the Azeris in the territory. Since then, there has been a problematic relationship between the two countries. Azerbaijan would go forward to create the Zangezur Republic, an autonomous region to pass a message to Iranian Turks. Iran’s opening of an embassy in the Armenian city of Kapan, which is closest to the mountainous Karabakh, hints that Iran is attempting to obstruct the Zangezur corridor in retribution.

Iran is attempting to thwart the construction of the Zangezur bridge that will create an opening of the Nakhchivan - Turkey corridor. It attempts to prevent Armenia from completing this requirement of the Nagorno-Karabakh agreement of November 9, 2020, arguing that it supports Armenia’s territorial integrity and believes it to be correct. In fact, its alliance with Armenia puts it in a difficult position vis-à-vis Russia and Turkey. Because these two nations are the agreement’s guarantors. This crossing bridge will connect two Turkish states. It will also be a new channel for oil from Central Asia. This attitude of Iran has contributed to the escalation of tensions between nations. Meanwhile, Armenia intends to open a consulate in Tabriz, the centre of Iranian Turks, where it is redoubling its efforts against Azerbaijan.

Foreign Influence

As the conflicts between the two nations exacerbate tensions, the influence of other nations should not be overlooked. In the globalised colonial world, the war between Britain and France, the coloniser of the 20th century, has moved to the Caucasus and the Middle East. The issue contributes to tensions in Azerbaijan and Iran as well. Iran acts alongside France, while Azerbaijan acts alongside England. The Russians assisted the Armenians in 1991 when they occupied the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. However, in the 2020 Azerbaijan-Nagorno-Karabakh War, the Russians remained neutral and even mute, indirectly siding with Azerbaijan. Obviously, it was no coincidence that Russia backed Azerbaijan.

During the cold war, it is known that the billionaires in Russia were primarily the distributors of the British-owned Rothschilds and that they collaborated and secretly pursued policies aligned with British agendas. The Russians are engaged in combat with the French in Caucasus and Africa. The conflict between England and France greatly affects the tension between Russia and Ukraine. Iran has always supported Armenia, particularly after the revolution, and has been with the Armenians throughout history. Khomeini’s presence in France prior to the revolution and his commitment to the Armenian lobby in France is known to have had a considerable impact on this. Again, it is asserted that the provocations of the Jews of Isfahan, who fear that Israel will cease to exist by 2030, against Israel and Azerbaijan were instrumental in the implementation of the Arzi Mevud. Approximately fifty percent of the Iranian population consists of Turks, and forty percent of these Turks are Azeri Turks. Iran may be concerned that this Turkish population would one day declare independence from Iran. However, such a study has not existed in Azerbaijan till now.

How did Azerbaijani Turks split into two groups?

The Qajar Turks were defeated in the 1813-1827 conflict in Azerbaijan between the Qajar Turkish state and Tsarist Russia. Azerbaijan is split between north and south. In Southern Azerbaijan, a Turkish state was founded while Russia ruled Northern Azerbaijan. Today, we have the Azerbaijani Turks divided into two-North Azerbaijan (State of Azerbaijan) and South Azerbaijan (Iran).

Azerbaijan encountered Islam during the reign of Umar ibn Khattab. Then, the Caucasus became a centre for the propagation of Islam. The region experienced an extended period of Turkish dominance. In the 700s, Turks first arrive in the region. In the 1020s, the Oghuz Turks arrived in the region, and throughout the Great Seljuk period, the province was ruled by the Sunni Turks. The territory remained under the control of the Sunni Turks until the 1520s when it transferred to the Shiite Safavid dynasty. Iran, which the Turks ruled until the 1920s, returned to the Persians’ hands in 1925 after the Qajar Dynasty fell. Iran experienced Khomeini’s revolution in 1979. After this period, tensions between Azerbaijan and Iran began to rise. The primary cause of these problems is the influence of Iran on the French-based Armenian lobby.

Even though it is evident that the Azerbaijani state has no negative aim toward Iran until the 2020s, Iran, which is in fear, views this situation as a future threat to itself, and as a result, it is always working with Armenia to place Azerbaijan in a difficult position. Although Iran declared neutrality in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, particularly when Azerbaijan was liberated from Armenian occupation, Iran should have secretly supported Armenia and helped Azerbaijan to rid itself of an Islamic territory under Armenian occupation; as a result, it appears that Azerbaijan is attacking Armenian territory. Armenia must safeguard its borders. It genuinely indicates which side he supports.

Conclusion

After 2015, the increasing Arab-Turkish conflict and the development of Persian nationalist discourses began to upset the majority of the country’s population, particularly in Iran. In reality, this nationalism is reflected in the rallies that took place in both the east and west of the country in 2022. Obviously, Iran’s hostility to American policies and its close relations with China enhance the pressures of Britain and the United States on Iran, and both nations support these demonstrations. Iran will either coordinate its China policy with the United States and the United Kingdom or exacerbate domestic and international issues. In fact, it has become a vehicle for American and British interests in the Middle East (in Yemen, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan). No matter how often you wield the infidel’s sword, your turn will come.

The military drill conducted by Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Pakistan in Baku on September 12, 2021 (the three brothers’ drill) worried Iran. Iran has recently initiated a military drill around its border with Azerbaijan. This is of little wonder because Azerbaijan’s reconciliation with Israel and Azerbaijan’s arms trade with Israel contribute to Iran’s unease with Azerbaijan. It titled his military drill 629, the day that marks the conquest of Khaybar, as a message to Israel. Nevertheless, Iran’s policies have fluctuated continuously between Persian nationalism, Shia, and Islam. Iran interacts with Christian Armenians on the one hand, and Islamic beliefs on the other. The leaders of Iran and Armenia continue to exchange frequent visits.

Iran and Azerbaijan should sever all ties with non-Muslims and remember that the Muslim is his brother. Neither Armenia nor Israel has any affection for these two communities and states. They continue to pursue their objectives. In a conflict between Azerbaijan and Iran, Muslims will be the losers, while Israel and Armenia will emerge victorious. The attitudes of Iran, a D8 member, are in no way befitting of a nation named Islam. Iran and Azerbaijan should review their foreign policies and consider the needs of the Muslim world. Neither nation should use its citizens to serve imperialism. He should avoid the haughtiness of his leaders. They should not allow the conflict between them to escalate and should not forget that external interventions exist. All ties with Israel must be severed. Instead of the Christian invaders of Armenia, we should support their co-religionists, the Azeris. When this is accomplished, tension will diminish. The region’s Muslims will emerge as the victor. Otherwise, Israel will purchase low-cost oil. The occupation and expansionist policies of Armenia will continue.