Why azerbaijan is closer to israel than iran

But the Iranians are nonetheless worried by this convergence of interests on their northern border. At the moment, Tehran is unable to change the dynamics in the South Caucasus. This sort of talk from Baku creates anger in Tehran, which sees it as aimed at creating secessionism inside Iran and among the Azerbaijani minority. They have lived apart from their northern cousins since Iran lost its Caucasian territories to the Russians in the 19 th century.

You can follow him on Twitter AlexVatanka. The views expressed in this piece are his own. Featured Program view Economics and Energy Program. Contrary to official military statements , Iran did not need to send large armored, mechanized, and infantry units to the region. Moreover, unlike when these forces were sent, there is no news of the return of combat battalions to the provinces where they belong.

Therefore, it can be concluded that the real goal was to deploy the military force needed for a possible armed conflict under the guise of a military drill. Tehran is also worried that if Azerbaijan succeeds in imposing the Zangzur corridor on the Armenian government, Baku could easily connect to Turkey, Israel, and the European Union by land, thus, excluding Iran from its transit equations.

Azerbaijan denied the allegations. Heydari claimed that Iran was uncertain whether these groups had left the Caucasus. It is unclear to what extent the new Ebrahim Raisi government and Supreme National Security Council can formulate a clear defense and security policy in the face of the security challenge with Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan would later be absorbed into the USSR. Yet despite its inseparable ties with Turkey, Azerbaijan has sought to strengthen ties with Israel. Azerbaijan has long predicated the relationship on the myth that it is a "country of tolerance," parading the existence of its dwindling and deeply isolated Jewish community as a means of cementing its place as the only Muslim-majority state with any meaningful relationship with Israel. In reality, a "country of tolerance" Azerbaijan is anything but.

Azerbaijan has sought to embed Jewish community groups in the United States into this cynical manipulation by posing as a champion of "interfaith dialogue.

Iran and Azerbaijan have in recent years deepened their relationship, with Hassan Rouhani describing more substantial relations with Azerbaijan as a top priority. Iranian officials have also recently expressed their strong support for Azerbaijan in the midst of the current conflict. Furthermore, despite its efforts to play up relations with Israel, Azerbaijan has consistently refused to establish full diplomatic ties and open an embassy, due to pressure from Iran, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and Turkey.

Despite its constant appeasement of the Iranian regime, Azerbaijan has still sought to steer Israel and the West away from Armenia. And this would probably get Azerbaijan into trouble that does not serve the interests of the Caspian nation.

Azerbaijan also needs to take a look at other Muslim countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia that tried relying on Israel in the security arena. These Arab countries paid a high price for embracing Israel in the hope that it will help them with Iran. But they soon realized that mending ties with Iran is better than antagonizing it and coalescing with Israel.