Iran officials emphasize strategic ties with Azerbaijan

High-ranking Iranian officials have underscored the vital importance of maintaining friendly and neighborly relations with regional states, particularly Azerbaijan, in an exclusive interview with AnewZ television. According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the discussions focused heavily on regional security and the prevention of external interference in the South Caucasus and Middle East.

Esmail Baghaei, the spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urged neighboring countries to exercise "maximum caution" to avoid being drawn into ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. He emphasized that Tehran and regional capitals must take collective measures to protect their bilateral relations from the "malicious interventions" of outside powers. Baghaei further noted that constructive dialogue has continued between Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and President Ilham Aliyev, specifically following the drone incident in Nakhchivan in early March.

In a separate interview, Iran's Minister of Cultural Heritage, Reza Salehi Amiri, highlighted the deep historical and civilizational ties between the two nations.

"Iran and Azerbaijan share a common civilizational heritage, including the Novruz holiday. Alongside our peoples, our leaders, Masoud Pezeshkian and President Ilham Aliyev, have strengthened bilateral ties at the regional level,"

The diplomatic engagement between Baku and Tehran has seen a period of revitalization aimed at fostering economic cooperation and regional stability. As key neighbors in the Caspian region, Azerbaijan and Iran share significant interests in transport corridors, such as the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), and energy projects. This renewed focus on strategic partnership reflects a broader effort to ensure that regional issues are resolved through direct dialogue between the involved states, maintaining the principle of regional ownership without external pressure.