Summary of the event

After the Second Karabakh War, diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Iran became quite strained and remain difficult even today. After Iran conducted large-scale military drills on the Iranian-Azerbaijani border, opened an Iranian consulate in Kapan, Armenia, and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan announced an Armenian consulate in Azerbaijani-habited Tabriz, Azerbaijan’s rhetoric against Iran became more aggressive, both in the media and at the official level. 

Beginning in November, deputies of the Azerbaijani parliament, other officials, state TV channels, and public or state agencies began to bring the issue of "South Azerbaijan" [Azerbaijanis call northern provinces of Iran inhabited by ethnic Azerbaijanis with this term] into the political arena. There were also some unverified reports by Azerbaijani news outlets that leaflets with pictures of the President of Azerbaijan have been spread in Tabriz, Ardabil, and other cities of Iran.

"The freedom movement has started in the south of Azerbaijan; we must support it"

In his speech on the draft state budget of 2023 at the plenary session of the Parliament, Azerbaijani MP Fazail Agamali said, "We want to increase the funds allocated for our military and security against the background of increasing threats from France, Iran, and Armenia."

Touching on the processes in Iran, the MP reminded that [ex-president] Heydar Aliyev also advised not to ignore "South Azerbaijan." 

"The freedom movement started in the south of Azerbaijan. They struggle to establish their independence. The great leader Heydar Aliyev stated that the issue of South Azerbaijan should never be ignored... We must support their freedom movement with writings and speeches. In addition, 10-15 million manat [EUR 5.7-8.5 million] allocated to the Ministry of Education from the budget should be spent for the study of southern Azerbaijanis", said Fazail Agamali.

"This conquest will not end with Karabakh alone"

Moreover, MP Siyavush Novruzov said that President Ilham Aliyev is the only person after the Treaty of Turkmenchay whose pictures are plastered on the walls in the cities that are the heart of Iran: "After Amir Teymur and Shah Ismail Khatai, the only President Ilham Aliyev was named the Conqueror of Karabakh. I tell our southern brothers that this conquest will not end with Karabakh alone." 

The MP suggested that the budget should cover security and defense issues more widely: "The air smells of gunpowder. Therefore, defense and security expenses should cover wider issues."

Response from Khamenei’s Adviser

On November 20, Ali Akbar Velayati, the Adviser of Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, refuted allegations against Iran over rumors that the Islamic Republic planned to attack the Republic of Azerbaijan or seize power in the neighboring country.

Velayati emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran has always been considerate of its neighbors and has never planned to invade or seize control of the Republic of Azerbaijan. He acknowledged the significant role Azerbaijanis played in Iranian history and their significant contributions to the nation's defense and promotion of Iran's strength and regional relevance.

He reiterated that all Iranians, regardless of ethnicity, are considered Iranians in response to the political and media tensions between the two countries. Second, he asserted, Iran has never harbored envy toward its neighbors; rather, it has consistently demonstrated consideration for them and a desire to uphold cordial relations with all of them.

"Today, every Azerbaijani is Iranian, and every Iranian is an Azerbaijani," he stated. Ali Khamenei's Adviser added, "I am Azerbaijani too. This is true even if they have a non-Iranian passport or reside outside Iran."

As previously reported by Caucasus Watch, Velayati criticized Azerbaijan-Israel relations. "The reason for our parting ways with them is Azerbaijan's relations with Israel," Velayati claimed. Although the province claims that they want to have good-will relations with Azerbaijan, it has set a condition for this. "We cannot accept Muslim countries establishing relations with Israel. A country in contact with Israel is considered alien to us," Khamenei's advisor said.

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