INSS expert: Tehran and Baku seek to avoid escalation despite Azerbaijan’s ties with Israel

Published: 2025-05-21 06:17

Danny Citrinowicz, a research fellow in the Iran Program at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) and former head of the Iran branch in the IDF’s Research and Analysis Division, explained the complex relationship between Iran and Azerbaijan to the Israeli news website Ynet: "Iran is aware of Azerbaijan’s cooperation with Israel, but ultimately, neither side has an interest in reaching a state of dramatic escalation. They prefer to cooperate, even on an operational-tactical level. While this doesn’t erase the tensions and challenges in their relationship, they choose to manage it in an orderly way and avoid a scenario where tensions escalate."

Citrinowicz added: "A few years ago, they came close to war when the Iranians conducted military drills near the Azerbaijani border. In addition, there is ongoing tension between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as Iran supports the Armenians. There are several significant aspects of the relationship that create friction, including Azerbaijan’s ties with Israel, but neither Iran nor Azerbaijan has an interest in severing ties. It’s a relationship marked by respect and suspicion. Both sides wish to de-escalate the tensions."

"Iran doesn’t ignore Azerbaijan’s cooperation with Israel, especially when the Azerbaijani defense minister visits Israel. Still, both countries continue to choose cooperation — even if largely symbolic — though mutual suspicion remains," Citrinowicz noted. Regarding Israel-Azerbaijan ties, he said: "It’s a deeply strategic partnership. The Azerbaijanis haven’t forgotten Israel’s support, and I believe they hold Israel in very high regard. From Israel’s perspective, it’s an unprecedented and vital relationship."

By Azerbaijani-Israeli Alliance Global News