Türkiye welcomes reopening of Azerbaijan’s embassy in Tehran

Türkiye has expressed its support for the resumption of operations at the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Tehran, marking a significant step in regional diplomacy.

In a statement released early Tuesday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry emphasized the importance of this development for stability and cooperation in the region.

We consider the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Iran, and the restoration of diplomatic ties to the normal level as important for the region’s stability and the spirit of cooperation

Turkish Foreign Ministry

Historical context and recent tensions

Relations between Iran and Azerbaijan have experienced fluctuations over the years. Tensions reached a peak in January 2023, following a violent attack on the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran.

During this attack, a gunman stormed the mission, killing the security officer in charge and injuring two others. Iran said the attack was a personal dispute after the gunman’s wife disappeared on a visit to the embassy, but Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev called it a “terrorist attack.” Baku accused Tehran of supporting hard-line extremists who tried to overthrow its government, a charge Tehran denied.

Aftermath of attack

In the wake of the attack, Azerbaijan took immediate measures to protect its diplomatic personnel. The staff and their family members were evacuated from Tehran, and Azerbaijani citizens were advised against traveling to Iran due to safety concerns.