A look at Azerbaijani-Iranian relations from the outside

Baku/04.11.23/Turan: South Azerbaijani political commentator Mohammad Rahmanifar, who lives in Turkey, comments on the tension between Azerbaijan and Iran in the "Difficult Question" program.

According to him, the existing tension between Azerbaijan and Iran has been from the first days of Azerbaijan's restoration of state independence. However, Iran's hostility has only recently manifested itself so clearly.  "Iran was one of those countries that initially did not want to recognize an independent Azerbaijani state," Rahmanifar stressed.

The expert noted that despite the unfriendly attitude of Iran, for a long time Azerbaijan, for objective reasons, in particular because of the unresolved Karabakh issue, avoided aggravating relations with it.

"This is an indicator of how pragmatic Azerbaijan is in the political arena. Azerbaijan, of course, knew that Iran supports Armenia, but did not want to push it even more into the arms of the Armenians. Therefore, Azerbaijan has avoided aggravating relations with Iran in every possible way," the expert explained.

According to the political scientist, a certain thaw will soon occur in relations between Azerbaijan and Iran. "This can be judged by the direction in which events are developing. However, the warming will be short-lived," he stressed.

Rahmanifar does not share the opinion expressed by some experts that the cool relations between Azerbaijan and Iran will not last forever and that sooner or later the existing tension between the two states will come to an end, Azerbaijan and Iran will not be eternal enemies.

"I do not share this point of view, because the contradictions between Azerbaijan and Iran are too deep. I do not rule out that the tension between Azerbaijan and Iran may ease for some time, but I do not believe that the contradictions existing between the two states can be completely overcome. In the long term, tense relations will continue since the contradiction between them is fundamental. It lies in the fact that a country like Azerbaijan is located within the borders of Iran." -0—