ZANJAN, July 31 — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian defended his recent visit to Baku during a speech in the city of Zanjan today, stressing the importance of deepening ties with neighboring Azerbaijan.
“Azerbaijan is our brother nation! How could I visit and not reach any agreements?” Pezeshkian said in a pointed response to domestic critics, according to the Telegram channel Free Iran. “If we fail to establish a relationship, while Israel succeeds in doing so—what does that say about us?”
The newly elected president’s remarks signal a continued effort to reset Tehran-Baku relations after a period of tensions exacerbated by regional rivalries and suspicions over Israel’s presence in Azerbaijan.
Pezeshkian went further, saying the burden of any diplomatic shortcomings lies with Iran:
“If we haven’t built a connection, the fault is ours.”
The statement drew attention both at home and abroad, coming at a time when Iran is seeking to reposition itself in the South Caucasus amid shifting alliances, infrastructure projects like the Zangezur corridor, and growing competition for regional influence.
