FM Araghchi Holds Key Talks With Azerbaijani Leaders in Baku

Iran Asserts Role in South Caucasus Strategic Recalibration

Date: 08 December 2025 - 21:51

News ID: ۱۴۶۶۶۳

Focus on Strengthening Bilateral Ties, Trade Corridors, Regional Stability

TEHRAN/BAKU — Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held high-level talks in Baku with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on Monday, emphasizing the expansion of bilateral relations, regional security, and cooperation frameworks in the South Caucasus.
Araghchi said the main outcome of his visit was an agreement to increase diplomatic exchanges and consultations between Iran and Azerbaijan, aiming to elevate relations to a “problem-free” level and expand cooperation across political, economic, and security sectors.
He underscored that both countries share extensive historical, cultural, and civilizational ties, and expressed Iran’s determination to strengthen these connections.
“We are committed to developing our relations in all areas and will not allow any third party to damage or undermine these ties,” Araghchi said at a joint press conference with Bayramov in Baku.
The Iranian diplomat also highlighted regional security as a key priority, stressing the importance of local cooperation in maintaining stability. He reaffirmed Tehran’s support for the “3+3” regional consultation mechanism, which involves Iran, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and three other regional states, as a platform to enhance political and economic coordination and foster peace in the South Caucasus without external interference.
“A stronger, more effective 3+3 framework will contribute to stability across the entire region,” Araghchi said. He welcomed recent progress in Azerbaijan-Armenia relations and noted that, following a proposal by Baku, upcoming 3+3 meetings are planned in Baku and subsequently in Yerevan.
The Iranian minister also addressed broader regional issues, including the situation in Gaza and Palestine. He reaffirmed Iran’s stance that any initiative should respect the inalienable rights of Palestinians to self-determination and sovereignty.
“We welcome any action that ends crimes and killings against Palestinians, facilitates aid to Gaza, and ends the occupation of Palestinian territories,” Araghchi said.
Infrastructure cooperation was another key topic during the meetings. Araghchi updated on the Rassht–Astara railway project, which involves Iran, Azerbaijan, and Russia. He said the project has made “good progress,” with over 50 percent of preparatory work completed, and expressed optimism that construction could begin next year. The railway is expected to strengthen trade and transport links between the countries and facilitate regional connectivity.
The visit also focused on bilateral economic and security cooperation. Discussions with Azerbaijani officials included cross-border security, countering transnational organized crime such as drug trafficking, transportation, energy cooperation, and the implementation of previous agreements reached during Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visits to Baku.
Araghchi praised the warm reception from Azerbaijani officials and expressed satisfaction at the shared political will for enhanced dialogue and problem-solving. He emphasized that misunderstandings or disputes should be addressed through continuous diplomatic engagement, and he welcomed the increased frequency of high-level visits over the past year, including two official trips by Iran’s president and prior meetings between foreign ministers.
Bayramov highlighted the longstanding historical, cultural, and religious ties between Iran and Azerbaijan as a foundation for further strengthening bilateral relations. He described Araghchi’s visit as an important step in deepening mutual understanding and fostering closer cooperation between the two neighboring states.
The meetings also reflected ongoing Iranian efforts to engage with regional neighbors and promote peace and stability. Araghchi reiterated Iran’s commitment to supporting lasting security and conflict resolution in the South Caucasus and emphasized that regional security should be ensured by the countries themselves without foreign intervention.

In addition to talks with President Aliyev and Foreign Minister Bayramov, Araghchi met with the Azerbaijani parliament speaker, Sahiba Gafarova, to discuss bilateral legislative cooperation and continued diplomatic coordination.

These discussions are part of Tehran’s broader strategy to institutionalize dialogue and strengthen multifaceted ties with Azerbaijan, covering political, economic, and security dimensions.

The delegation highlighted that the combination of historical ties, high-level political engagement, and infrastructure projects like the Rassht–Astara railway provides a robust framework for expanding relations.

Araghchi noted that practical cooperation in trade, transport, energy, and border security complements the broader goal of regional stability under mechanisms such as the 3+3 initiative.

Since Pezeshkian’s election as Iran’s president, Tehran-Baku relations have significantly increased. Pezeshkian himself visited Baku twice prior to Araghchi’s trip, signaling a clear shift toward deeper, more predictable, and pragmatic cooperation with Iran’s northern neighbor.

Analysts note that major infrastructure projects, including the North–South international transport corridor and the Aras corridor, have become central to Tehran’s renewed focus on regional connectivity. These corridors are seen as relatively resilient, revenue-generating, and strategically strengthening Iran’s role as a regional logistics hub.

Araghchi, a seasoned diplomat with extensive high-level negotiation experience, has emerged as a key figure in advancing these projects. Analysts suggest that his Baku visit marks the beginning of a coordinated Iranian strategy to accelerate the implementation of these corridors, manage investment challenges, and address technical obstacles—efforts that are integral to Iran’s broader economic resilience strategy under Western sanctions.

The discussions also touched on security concerns linked to recent Israeli attacks on Iran in June, amid reports that some in Tehran speculated drones could have operated from Azerbaijani territory. Araghchi firmly dismissed such claims, emphasizing that unsubstantiated accusations could harm bilateral ties.

His measured response signals that Iran’s new administration seeks to avoid unnecessary confrontation, particularly with close neighbors, and pursue a balanced, pragmatic foreign policy.

The visit comes amid ongoing geopolitical competition and influence in the South Caucasus. Tehran aims to fully understand Baku’s position to ensure stability along key transport routes, safeguard economic interests, and monitor the potential role of external actors, including the United States, in shaping new transit corridors.

Analysts stress that while U.S. involvement might influence the Armenian segment of these routes, the Azerbaijani sections remain fully under Baku’s control—a position aligned with Iran’s strategic interests.