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Caspian Research Institute: Azerbaijan and Iran are engaged in
something of a `cold war'
22:38 22/05/2013 » REGION
Azerbaijan and Iran have been engaged in something of a `cold war' for
some time, although the roots of the tense relationship date back to
the fall of the Soviet Union, the article published in London based
scientific research center Caspian Research Institute site reads.
`Iran is wary of Azerbaijan because of its close ties to Israel and
the West more generally, and for what Iran claims is secessionism
among its ethnic Azeri minority in the northwest,' the authors write.
Azerbaijan, on the other hand, points to Iran's support for Armenia
during the Nagorno-Karabakh War, its promotion of hardline Shia Islam
in Azerbaijan, and its covert support of terrorist cells which have
attempted to carry out attacks in Azerbaijan. Iranian attempts to
claim a large share of the Caspian Sea and its oil and gas riches have
also provoked tensions over the past decade, particularly as
exploration works have increased.
`Tensions had decreased in recent months after a fairly fraught 2012.
But they increased recently as both sides began to trade accusations
about history and sovereignty,' the article says.
The article reads that the dispute started when a small conference was
held in Baku by a little-known group called the `National Liberation
Front of Southern Azerbaijan'. The meeting discussed the perennial,
and fringe, subject of independence for Iranian Azerbaijan.
`Reportedly some of the participants claimed that they were ready to
take over the Azeri-populated provinces of Iran if the government in
Tehran `collapsed' the article notes.
Accroding to CRI ahead the presidential elections Iranian government
is concerned that political aspirations among the country's Azeri
minority could become a threat to stability.
`A visit by Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov to Israel
on 21-23 April - the first such trip by an Azerbaijani foreign
minister - is likely to increase Iran's hostility. Baku, which is also
suspicious about Iran's intentions and its relationship with Armenia,
is likely to be watching closely for any Iranian reactions.
Source: Panorama.am
something of a `cold war'
22:38 22/05/2013 » REGION
Azerbaijan and Iran have been engaged in something of a `cold war' for
some time, although the roots of the tense relationship date back to
the fall of the Soviet Union, the article published in London based
scientific research center Caspian Research Institute site reads.
`Iran is wary of Azerbaijan because of its close ties to Israel and
the West more generally, and for what Iran claims is secessionism
among its ethnic Azeri minority in the northwest,' the authors write.
Azerbaijan, on the other hand, points to Iran's support for Armenia
during the Nagorno-Karabakh War, its promotion of hardline Shia Islam
in Azerbaijan, and its covert support of terrorist cells which have
attempted to carry out attacks in Azerbaijan. Iranian attempts to
claim a large share of the Caspian Sea and its oil and gas riches have
also provoked tensions over the past decade, particularly as
exploration works have increased.
`Tensions had decreased in recent months after a fairly fraught 2012.
But they increased recently as both sides began to trade accusations
about history and sovereignty,' the article says.
The article reads that the dispute started when a small conference was
held in Baku by a little-known group called the `National Liberation
Front of Southern Azerbaijan'. The meeting discussed the perennial,
and fringe, subject of independence for Iranian Azerbaijan.
`Reportedly some of the participants claimed that they were ready to
take over the Azeri-populated provinces of Iran if the government in
Tehran `collapsed' the article notes.
Accroding to CRI ahead the presidential elections Iranian government
is concerned that political aspirations among the country's Azeri
minority could become a threat to stability.
`A visit by Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov to Israel
on 21-23 April - the first such trip by an Azerbaijani foreign
minister - is likely to increase Iran's hostility. Baku, which is also
suspicious about Iran's intentions and its relationship with Armenia,
is likely to be watching closely for any Iranian reactions.
Source: Panorama.am