Azerbaijan summons Iranian Charge d'Affaires over anti-Azerbaijani campaign in media

On January 25, 2025, Seyyed Jafar Aghayi Marian, the Charge d'Affaires of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Azerbaijan, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan for a meeting where strong protest was raised against the recent anti-Azerbaijani campaign in Iranian media.

The Azerbaijani Ministry highlighted the concerning media coverage targeting Azerbaijan and its leadership, with specific reference to outlets linked to the Iranian government, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. 

The timing of the campaign was noted, particularly after the productive and long-awaited 16th meeting of the "State Commission on Economic, Trade, and Humanitarian Cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran," held in Tehran. Despite positive diplomatic exchanges and agreements, the Azerbaijani authorities expressed confusion over the subsequent summons of Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Iran by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was perceived as an unjustified action against Azerbaijan.

The meeting also addressed inflammatory remarks made by Seyed Hassan Ameli, the Imam of Friday Prayer (Imam Juma) in Ardabil, during a public meeting in the city. Instead of apologising for his offensive statements regarding Azerbaijan, a campaign supporting Ameli was launched. Furthermore, the involvement of other religious leaders, including the Imam of Friday Prayer in Qazvin, in the anti-Azerbaijani rhetoric was strongly condemned by Azerbaijani officials.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that such actions, aimed at undermining the relations between the two countries, were unacceptable and must be prevented. In response, Seyyed Jafar Aghayi Marian expressed regret for the unpleasant statements and actions, assuring that he would convey the issue to the relevant authorities in Iran.

By Vugar Khalilov