From 16:00 March 18 to 16:00 March 19, 2026

The war in Iran remains the central theme in Azerbaijan’s media agenda. The military escalation in the Middle East was discussed during a phone call between President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The main theme of Azerbaijan’s media space during the period under review was the developments surrounding Iran and their potential impact on regional security. Against this backdrop, particular attention was drawn to the telephone conversation between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Pakistan, during which the situation in the region and recent events raising concern among neighboring countries were discussed.

The main focus of Azerbaijan’s media landscape during the period under review was the extension of the special quarantine regime until July 1, 2026, which effectively means that the country’s land borders will remain closed for passenger travel. Media outlets widely discussed the reasons for this decision, linking it not only to epidemiological concerns but also to regional security considerations amid the military escalation in the Middle East.

The central topic of Azerbaijan’s media agenda during the reporting period was the report of Prime Minister Ali Asadov on the government’s activities in 2025, presented at a session of the Milli Majlis. Media outlets widely cited key elements of the report concerning the country’s macroeconomic stability, growth of strategic foreign exchange reserves, increased defense spending, expansion of defense industry exports, and large-scale demining operations in the liberated territories.