Azerbaijan offers to help de-escalate Iran-US tensions in Baku talks

Azerbaijan has formally offered to assist in de-escalating the tense standoff between Iran and the United States, President Ilham Aliyev announced during high-level talks in Baku on Friday. The Azerbaijani leader made the statement while receiving a delegation from Tehran led by Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, emphasizing his country's concern over regional instability and its desire to promote peace.

Content of the bilateral discussions

According to a statement from the Azerbaijani presidency, President Aliyev reaffirmed Baku's position on supporting de-escalation, a point he had previously raised in a January phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Aliyev praised the successful official visit by Pezeshkian to Azerbaijan last year, noting that bilateral relations "have developed further since that visit." He highlighted that high-level contacts provide excellent opportunities to discuss shared agendas and expressed confidence that the established peace in the South Caucasus holds great importance for neighboring Iran.

Azerbaijan's regional peace narrative

President Aliyev positioned Azerbaijan as a model for conflict resolution, stating, "We want peace throughout the world, no bloodshed, no wars," and asserting that his country exemplifies "a successful transition from war to peace." This framing underscores Baku's diplomatic strategy of promoting itself as a stable hub in a volatile region following its victory over Armenia in the 2023 war. For his part, Defense Minister Nasirzadeh conveyed warm greetings from President Pezeshkian, who he said "holds great affection for Azerbaijan." The officials discussed expanding defense cooperation based on principles of friendship and good-neighborliness.

Context of Iran-US nuclear negotiations

The meeting in Baku occurred as Iranian and U.S. diplomats commenced critical nuclear negotiations in Muscat, Oman, against a backdrop of U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf and threats from President Donald Trump. Azerbaijan's offer to mediate adds to a list of regional actors, including Türkiye, that have stepped forward in recent days attempting to facilitate dialogue and lower the risk of a military confrontation between Washington and Tehran.