TEHRAN – Azerbaijan News Agency Trends reported that Ja’far Agha’i Merian, Iran’s chargéd’Affaires, has been summoned to Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs following a series of threats regarding media coverage.
The Azerbaijani government objected to what it called “a continuous campaign against Azerbaijan in Iranian media.”
The development develops because Azerbaijani media frequently publishes content critical of Iran.
The invitation to Iranian diplomats to Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs followed discussions between Azerbaijan’s ambassador in Tehran, Ali Alizadeh, and Mojtaba Damirchilou, Deputy Minister and Director of Eurasia at the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During Friday’s discussion, both sides noted the state of their bilateral relations and explored ways to expand cooperation in various areas.
Damirchilou highlighted the positive momentum in Iran-Azarbaijan ties, noting significant progress in high-level exchanges and the revival of the Joint Economic Committee after a three-year break. He stressed the need for both countries to implement the agreement and advance their relationship.
However, Damirchilu also expressed concern about recent actions in Azerbaijan, which he described as detrimental to bilateral relations.
Sixteen female Iranian students were expelled from school and 10 were deported from Azerbaijan last week after what the government accused of “immoral behavior”.
In December 2024, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the resumption of consular operations and confirmed the embassy’s commitment to providing ongoing services to Azeri citizens and other individuals in need of assistance. This was followed by the reopening of the embassy in a new location in July 2024. This is an important milestone after a period caused by a fatal incident.
In January 2023, an attack on the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran caused Baku to temporarily close its diplomatic mission and evacuate its staff. The Azerbaijani government labeled the incident a “terrorist act” and prompted heightened tensions between the two countries.
An investigation conducted by Iranian authorities showed personal and familial motives behind the attack. The gunman told police he believed the embassy was hiding his wife from him. The man attacked the building while his children waited in his car parked near the embassy.