The recent events in the Islamic Republic of Iran - waves of protests - are being closely monitored in Azerbaijan. This can be explained by several important factors. Geographical proximity, historical and cultural ties, ethnic factors, regional security, and economic relations are the main reasons increasing the significance of processes within Iran for Azerbaijan.
The presence of millions of Azerbaijanis living in Iran is one of the most sensitive and emotional issues for us.
The social situation, cultural rights, and participation in public processes of our compatriots living in South Azerbaijan have always been a subject of discussion for the Azerbaijani press. Protests, calls for reform, or changes in the central government's policy in Iran can directly affect the situation of Azerbaijani Turks there. This naturally causes interest and concern in Azerbaijani society.
It should also be specifically noted that the regime in Iran is based on Persian nationalism and pursues, to put it mildly, an unfriendly policy towards the Republic of Azerbaijan. Tensions experienced from time to time in Iran-Azerbaijan relations have always been prominently manifested in diplomatic ties between the two countries.
According to Modern.az, independent Azerbaijan's diplomatic relations with Iran began as early as 1918. Thus, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR), which existed at that time, decided to appoint its first diplomat to Iran - a chargé d'affaires - in September 1918.
However, the Iranian side initially refused to establish diplomatic relations with the ADR. At that time, Iran did not want to recognize an independent state named Azerbaijan.
Finally, in March 1919, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic succeeded in sending an extraordinary mission to Tehran. This mission, led by Ismayil Khan Ziyadkhanov, discussed the proposal to open diplomatic representations between the Shah's government in Iran and Azerbaijan.
Consequently, on July 16, 1919, the ADR government decided to open a diplomatic representation in Iran.
According to the decision of the Azerbaijani government dated August 1, 1919, Azerbaijan's diplomatic representation was established in Tehran, and Deputy Foreign Minister Adil Khan Ziyadkhanov was appointed as the first diplomatic representative of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in Iran.
On February 4, 1920, Azerbaijan's vice-consulate was established in Anzali. On April 1, 1920, the Azerbaijani state's consulate general in Tabriz, consulate in Rasht, vice-consulate in Mashhad, and consular agencies in the cities of Ahar and Khoy were established.
Unfortunately, the occupation of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic by the Bolsheviks on April 28, 1920, resulted in the collapse of this independent state in the East. The embassies and representations opened by the Republic in foreign countries, including Iran, ceased their activities.
Finally, after 70 years, the Republic of Azerbaijan, having restored its independence, once again established diplomatic representations in foreign countries, including Iran.
In 1992, the first ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Iran was appointed. This was Doctor of Historical Sciences Nasib Nasibli.
N. Nasibli served as the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Islamic Republic of Iran from 1992 to 1994.
The former ambassador does not consider it correct to call the recent events in Iran "riots." According to him, people in Iran have taken to the streets for their rights, and there are serious dissatisfactions ranging from everyday problems to ideological issues. According to N. Nasibli, the mullah regime, which has been in power for 47 years, has put the Iranian population in a difficult situation, and living in Iran has become harder.
In 1994, Professor Aliyar Safarli was entrusted with leading the diplomatic representation in Tehran. The late Aliyar Safarli (passed away in 2017-ed.) served as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Islamic Republic of Iran from 1994 to 1998.
In 1998, a diplomatic scandal also occurred between Azerbaijan and Iran. At that time, some public statements by Azerbaijan's ambassador to Iran, Aliyar Safarli, regarding South Azerbaijanis were met with strong protest from official Tehran. Consequently, as A. Safarli was unofficially declared "persona non grata" in Iran, his ambassadorial activities were terminated...
After A. Safarli, the post of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Iran was entrusted to Abbasali Hasanov. He served in that position for over 11 years. A. Hasanov's ambassadorial activity covered the years 1998-2009.
The former ambassador states that those who portray Azerbaijani Turks as a national minority in Iran are mistaken: "That is, Azerbaijani Turks constitute a national majority in that country. And in reality, 52 percent, or more than half, of the population of the Islamic Republic of Iran are Azerbaijani Turks. This fact is also acknowledged by Iranian officials".
In 2009, the Republic of Azerbaijan appointed a new ambassador to Iran. Javanshir Akhundov was appointed to this position. The new ambassador worked in Iran for 7 years. In 2016, by order of the head of state, Javanshir Akhundov was recalled from Tehran.
In April of the same year, Bunyad Huseynov was appointed as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to the Islamic Republic of Iran. He served in this position until August 7, 2021.
In 2021, the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Iran changed. By presidential decree, Ali Alizade, born in 1978, was appointed as Azerbaijan's new ambassador to Iran.
Prior to this appointment, A. Alizade worked in various positions within the system of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan. Subsequently, he served as the Consul General of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Tabriz and as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Pakistan.
A. Gafarli
