Home Arrow FAQs Arrow Does Iran have very good relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan?

Does Iran have very good relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan?

Iran’s relationship with Armenia: Generally warm and stable

Iran and Armenia have been termed to have a stable, cooperative and strategic relationship among its neighbors in South Caucasus. A number of facts help to justify this good relationship:

Economic and trade cooperation

Armenia is a country with high dependence on imports of Iranian energy in the form of natural gas and electricity swaps. Trade routes traversing Iran are vital since the borders between Armenia and Turkey, as well as, Azerbaijan are closed.

Strategic considerations

Iran views Armenia as an important strategic partner that helps balance regional dynamics and limits the emergence of a unified Turkey–Azerbaijan geopolitical alignment. The close relationship with Armenia assists Iran in balancing the pressure in the region.

Diplomatic stability

Armenia and Iran hardly know of diplomatic conflict. They cooperate in the fields of infrastructure projects, energy pipeline and transportation across boundaries.

Overall, relations between Iran and Armenia have been consistently stable and cooperative, largely driven by economic interdependence and shared strategic interests.

Iran’s relationship with Azerbaijan: Cooperative but tense at times

The relations of Iran and Azerbaijan are more complex. Although both countries are cooperating in terms of the economy and in the spheres of diplomatic relations, a few problems cause tension:

Ethnic and cultural sensitivities

A significant ethnic Azerbaijani population lives in northwestern Iran, which creates cultural and political sensitivities in Iran–Azerbaijan relations. The national identity and the good relations of Baku with Turkey occasionally make some worries about the separatism and influence on Iran on her own Azerbaijan population.

Azerbaijan–Israel partnership

There are strong military and security relationships between Azerbaijan and Israel which is an adversary of Iran in the region. This happens to be one of the largest sources of suspicion since Iran is concerned about Israeli activities around its borders.

Territorial and security concerns

After the disagreements in Nagorno-Karabakh, Iran has shown interest in the possible alterations in its borders especially those that would affect its access to Armenia or free flow of trade routes.

Iran’s concern is not centered on Azerbaijan’s territorial claims, but rather on potential changes to regional transit corridors—particularly proposals such as the Zangezur corridor—that could reduce Iran’s direct access to Armenia and alter existing trade and transport routes in the South Caucasus.

Despite tensions, cooperation continues

The countries of Iran and Azerbaijan continue to cooperate in the spheres of energy interchange, commerce and agreements in relation to the Caspian Sea. The level of diplomacy is not closed and the tension always tends to increase and decrease with the regional events.

Overall: the relations between Iran and Azerbaijan are not always positive, and at times marked by heightened tensions and confrontational rhetoric

Iran balances both sides for regional stability

Iran’s position between Armenia and Azerbaijan requires careful diplomacy. Key reasons for this balancing act include:

  • Maintaining access to trade routes through the Caucasus
  • Preventing border changes that could weaken its geopolitical position
  • Avoiding the formation of a Turkey–Azerbaijan regional bloc
  • Managing ethnic sensitivities within Iran
  • Preserving regional influence and security

Iran aims to avoid choosing one side over the other, preferring stability and open communication with both nations.

Conclusion

 Therefore, is Iran on very good terms with Armenia and Azerbaijan?

Iran has good and stable ties with Armenia, its relationship with Azerbaijan is cooperative but in most cases strained.

The rationale is in the strategic interests, the security considerations and the regional alliances. Iran still reserves relations with both States to secure its geopolitical location and stability in the South Caucasus.

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