Baku and Jerusalem are developing relations in all spheres, regardless of Iran and Russia

Baku and Jerusalem are moving forward in their bilateral relations in many areas, regardless of the consequences for Iran and the Russian Federation. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant recently completed meetings with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and the military leadership in Baku, where issues of strengthening strategic ties in the interests of regional security were discussed. The prospects for cooperation between Azerbaijan and Israel were highlighted, particularly in the military and military-technical fields. Both sides acknowledged the successful development of mutually beneficial relations.

Amidst deteriorating Azerbaijani-Iranian relations, intensive meetings between military leaders from Azerbaijan and Israel have gained momentum. This is happening against the background of the arrest of an Afghan hired by the Iranian special services to carry out a terrorist attack at the Israeli embassy in Baku. Iran's aggressive posture and the Iranian trace in various incidents have contributed to tensions between the two nations.

Azerbaijan and Israel have a longstanding history of close cooperation, with Azerbaijan serving as a major energy supplier to Israel while Israel provides high-tech products and weaponry. Collaboration extends to healthcare, education, trade, industrial technology, tourism, transport, communications, and agriculture. Azerbaijani cities host Israeli doctors, and agricultural parks benefit from Israeli expertise and technologies. The number of Israeli tourists visiting Azerbaijan has significantly increased.

Iran views the growing ties between Azerbaijan and Israel with concern, suggesting that Israel could conduct reconnaissance from Azerbaijani territory or exploit the ethnic Azerbaijani diaspora in Iran to incite separatist sentiments. However, there is no concrete evidence of Israeli surveillance of Iran from Azerbaijani territory. Azerbaijan's ambassador to Israel has categorically rejected the accusations, emphasizing that Azerbaijan would not allow its territory to be used for attacks on Iran.

Iran has sharply reacted to the close ties between Azerbaijan and Israel, blaming Israel for the deterioration of its relations with Azerbaijan. Despite Iran's attempts to restore former relations, Azerbaijan remains committed to its relationship with Israel and does not yield to benevolent appeals from Tehran.

Relations between Azerbaijan and Israel have been developing since the 1990s, marked by significant meetings and cooperation in strategic areas such as security and energy. Diplomatic missions have also been established, including an Azerbaijani representative office in Tel Aviv and an embassy in Israel. Azerbaijan has taken on a mediating role between Israel and Turkey, facilitating dialogue and helping to resolve contradictions that occasionally arise due to the pro-Palestinian actions of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Ilgar Velizade, Chairman of the Club of Political Scientists of the South Caucasus, provided insights into the relations between Azerbaijan and Israel, focusing on their perspective. Velizade quoted the Israeli Defense Minister, who described the visit to Baku as "short and successful." According to Velizade, the main topics of discussion likely revolved around the supply of Israeli weapons, including drones and missiles for the Azerbaijani army, as well as joint training programs or potentially full-scale exercises.

The discussions also encompassed the military-political situation in the region and globally, analyzing the ongoing war in Ukraine and the use of military tactics by the conflicting parties. Velizade highlighted the potential to draw from the experience of the Ukrainian conflict in the context of Azerbaijan and Israel.

Regarding Iran's reaction to the deepening relations between Baku and Jerusalem, Velizade stated that how Iran perceives Azerbaijan's relations with Israel is Iran's problem. Azerbaijan did not make a choice between Iran and Israel, but Tehran concluded that supporting Israel meant opposing Iran. Azerbaijan has repeatedly emphasized that its ties with Israel will not be used against Iran's interests. Velizade noted that Iran is actually supporting Armenia, whereas other countries like Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia have refrained from establishing diplomatic relations with Armenia due to the occupation of Azerbaijani territory.

"As for Moscow, it makes no sense for us to consult with anyone about the choice of allies. We are not a member of the CSTO, we do not have exclusive agreements of a military-political nature with Russia that tie our hands," the political scientist said.