Azerbaijan's assertiveness shifts Iran relationship

Abstract

Significance A recent downward trend in relations reflects deep-rooted grievances and diverging geopolitical trajectories, but Azerbaijan's growing assertiveness, helped by regional interloper Turkey, has left less room for resuming past methods of mutual accommodation. Impacts Azerbaijani-Russian relations will remain tense as each distrusts the other's intentions in Karabakh. Relations between Armenia and Russia will remain strained. As the 'Middle Corridor' route gains attention, Turkey's engagement with Central Asia will increase. Ukraine-Iran ties will become more difficult as Tehran supplies Moscow with weapons.