TEHRAN – Azerbaijan has announced the reopening of its embassy in Iran following over a year of successful negotiations aimed at easing tensions between the two neighboring countries.

The Azerbaijani Press Agency (APA) cited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press release, stating, “Following the negotiations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran, on July 15, 2024, the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Islamic Republic of Iran resumed its work at a new address. The Ambassador and the current diplomatic staff have returned to Iran.”

Iran, as the host country, has taken measures to ensure the security of the new embassy building in line with its obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the statement added.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry also mentioned that steps are currently being taken to organize consular services at the new embassy location, with updates on the restoration of these services to be provided soon.

According to the ministry, the resumption of the embassy’s operations will contribute to the further development of Azerbaijan-Iran relations, which are based on mutual respect and good neighborliness. It will also aid in the implementation of agreements reached between the two countries.

The embassy is located in Tehran's Darrus neighborhood, at the intersection of Shahrizad Avenue, Yarmuhammadi Street, Saghi dead end and Firuzkuh Street, in house number 8.

Relations between Azerbaijan and Iran were strained in January 2023 after an attack on Azerbaijan's embassy in Tehran. The incident led Baku to close the embassy and evacuate its staff, describing the event as a “terrorist act.” An initial investigation by Iran suggested that the attack was driven by “personal and family-related issues.”

In mid-March, Abbas Mousavi, Iran's former ambassador to Azerbaijan, noted that after attempts by both sides to clear the misconceptions, Tehran and Baku have underlined the need to “open a new chapter” in ties between the two neighbors.

Iran’s late President Ebrahim Raisi had commented on the strength of Azerbaijan-Iran relations during a May 19 ceremony alongside Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The event marked the inauguration of the Qiz Qalasi dam, a joint project on the Aras River at their common border.

“As the Leader of the Islamic Revolution [Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei] said, our relationship with the friendly, brotherly, and neighboring country of Azerbaijan goes beyond neighborliness. Our relationship is a strong kinship bond rooted in the beliefs of the two nations and connects our history and civilization,” Raisi had stated.

Raisi emphasized that the relationship between the two nations is unbreakable, despite efforts by adversaries to impede progress in both Azerbaijan and Iran.

Tragically, President Raisi passed away in a helicopter crash following his meeting with Aliyev on May 19. Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian was also aboard the helicopter at the time of the crash.