By Alice C. Hill and Priyanka Mahat

Was COP29 in Azerbaijan a failure?

COP29 traversed a rocky path from the moment UN officials selected petrostate Azerbaijan as the host nation. The conference ended in overtime on November 24 with only modest climate finance goals, failed to deliver on an expected announcement of a new commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions, and displayed unusually high tensions among nations, spurred in part by statements from the host, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, that oil and gas was a “gift from God.” The result was deep concern among climate policy activists for the future of climate diplomacy.

Iranian tourism minister meets Azerbaijan’s PM at COP29

TEHRAN - Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, met with Azerbaijan’s Prime Minister Ali Asadov on the sidelines of COP29, the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference, held in Baku from November 11 to 22.

Iran, Azerbaijan team up for rescue exercise in Caspian Sea

TEHRAN – The Iranian Navy will host the Caspian Sea combined rescue and relief exercise, a demonstration of regional cooperation and shared commitment to maritime security. 

Lavrov invites Iranian FM to Russia

TEHRAN – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has invited new Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to visit Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova announced on Wednesday.

Russia affirms commitment to Iran’s sovereignty amid South Caucasus transit route dispute

TEHRAN – The secretary of the Russian Security Council has reassured his Iranian counterpart of Moscow’s commitment to Iran’s sovereignty as Baku looks to create a transit route near the Iran-Armenia border to connect mainland Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan.

Iran emphasizes ‘legitimate right’ to retaliate against Israel

TEHRAN– Iran's foreign minister has declared Tehran's intention to respond decisively to the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Tehran on July 31.

Boundaries proposed for Qiz Qalasi for bolstered protection  

TEHRAN – An archaeological team has conducted a field survey across Qiz Qalasi with the aim of defining and proposing legal boundaries to preserve the ancient site, which is situated in northern Iran.

Azerbaijan reopens embassy in Tehran

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.

Visa waiver program lifts Iran’s tourism, expert says

TEHRAN - Hormatollah Rafiei, the director of the Association of Iranian Travel Agencies, stated that Iran’s new unilateral visa waiver strategy has significantly boosted the tourism sector.

Azerbaijan is expected to reopen embassy in Tehran soon

TEHRAN – The Assistant Minister and Director General of Eurasia at Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran is expected to reopen within the next 15 to 20 days.

Iran, Saudi Arabia discuss bilateral relations, regional issues

TEHRAN – Early Friday, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a significant phone consultation between Iran's acting Foreign Minister, Ali Baqeri Kani, and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan.

Iran acting FM calls for ending violence in Gaza in message to Azerbaijani counterpart

TEHRAN – In a heartfelt message on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran, Ali Baqeri Kani, reached out to his Azerbaijani counterpart, Jeyhun Bayramov, expressing hopes for peace and unity within the Islamic community.

Iran, Azerbaijan stage joint military drill

TEHRAN – Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan conducted a joint military drill on Wednesday aimed at bolstering regional security and countering terrorist threats.

Azeri, Kazakh, Irish Presidents visit Iran’s embassies to condole Iranian counterpart’s passing

TEHRAN – The leaders of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Ireland visited Iran’s embassies in their countries on Tuesday to offer condolences over the martyrdom of President Ebrahim Raisi and his Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian.

Iran-Azerbaijan: ‘unshakable friendship’ beyond borders

TEHRAN – On Sunday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met at the border between their two countries to inaugurate the "Khudafarin" and "Giz Galasi" hydroelectric complexes on the Araz River.

Iranian, Azerbaijani presidents to inaugurate Qiz Qalasi Dam

TEHRAN - The Qiz Qalasi Dam, a collaborative effort between Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan constructed on the Aras River, is set to be inaugurated on Sunday by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Azerbaijan announces new location for embassy in Iran

TEHRAN— The Republic of Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Ayhan Hajizadeh, has announced that a new location for the country’s embassy in Tehran has been determined.

Aliyev: Peace deal with Armenia 'closer than ever'

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has said that a peace deal with Armenia was closer than ever before, as teams from the two countries headed to the border to start demarcation work, hoping to end decades of territorial disputes.

U.S. Iran envoy visits Azerbaijan amid Tehran-Baku thaw 

TEHRAN – U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for Iran Abram Paley paid a surprise visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan, holding meeting with several officials ahead of an anticipated restoration of Tehran-Baku diplomatic relations. 

Tehran, Baku underscore need to ‘open new chapter’ in bilateral ties

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

Azerbaijan’s embassy in Tehran to reopen amid diplomatic efforts: Iranian envoy

TEHRAN – In a recent statement, Iran’s ambassador to Baku disclosed plans for the imminent reopening the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran, revealing that a delegation is already Tehran to facilitate the process.

Iran’s ambassador to Azerbaijan warns against foreign involvement in Caucasus issues

TEHRAN - In a recent diplomatic development, the Iranian Ambassador to Azerbaijan has emphasized the need to stop other countries from meddling in the regional issues.

Iran to participate in Asian Parliamentary Assembly

TEHRAN - In a diplomatic move, the parliamentary delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran has embarked on a crucial visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Iran urges restraint after new Azerbaijan-Armenia border skirmish

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has expressed concern about the escalating tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia, asking the two countries to refrain from upping the ante and instead engage in dialogue. 

Armenian soldiers killed in confrontation with Azeri forces

Armenia said on Tuesday that four military personnel were killed and one was wounded during the shelling from the Azerbaijani side on the border.

Iran to implement visa waiver for 32 countries on Feb. 4

TEHRAN – Iran’s unilateral abolition of visa requirements for citizens of 32 countries is set to take effect on February 4.

Azerbaijan issues statement on 1st anniversary of attack on embassy in Iran

TEHRAN- Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry has issued a statement on the first anniversary of the attack against its embassy in Tehran.

Consul general of Iran to Nakhchivan assumes duties

TEHRAN – Consul General Aziz Mansouri assumed his duties in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic on January 10, marking the beginning of his tenure as the newly appointed consul general of Iran.