Azerbaijani Embassy in Iran Resumes Its Activity in New Location

The Azerbaijani Embassy in Tehran resumed its activity at a new location, as a result of negotiations between the two countries. The ambassador and the staff of the embassy returned to Iran after 18 months.

“As a country of accreditation, Iran has taken appropriate measures to ensure security in front of our new embassy building in compliance with its obligation on diplomatic protection within the “Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations” framework. Currently, relevant measures are being taken to organize the consular service in the new Embassy building in Iran, and additional information on the restoration of the consular service will be provided soon,” the Azerbaijani Foreign Affairs’ Ministry said in a statement on July 15.

The ministry added that “the resumption of the Embassy’s work will contribute to the further development of Azerbaijan-Iran relations based on mutual respect and good neighborliness, the implementation of the agreements reached between the two countries, and the issues that need to be resolved”.

The embassy is located in Tehran's Darrus neighborhood, at the intersection of Shahrizad Avenue, Yarmuhammadi Street, Saghi dead end and Firuzkuh Street, in house number 8.

Azerbaijan’s relations with Iran were strained following an armed attack on the country’s embassy in Tehran, on January 27, 2023. The perpetrator passed by the guard post with a Kalashnikov rifle and opened fire inside the embassy, while its staff tried to neutralize him. The head of the embassy's security service, Orkhan Asgarov, was killed in the attack, while two guards were injured. Shortly after, a suspect was detained by Iranian police.

This “terrorist act” prompted Baku to suspend the embassy's operation and evacuate most of the embassy staff from Tehran. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev and government officials have strongly condemned the terrorist act and demanded that the Iranian government investigate and bring the culprit to justice.

Meanwhile, the Iranian authorities announced “family affairs” behind the attack, claiming the armed assailant allegedly came to the embassy to save “his wife” who he was convinced was inside the building.

Last week, Director General of Eurasia at Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mojtaba Demirchi-Lou said on July 9 that "the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran is expected to reopen within the next 15 to 20 days".

He also noted that the new Iranian ambassador to Azerbaijan has not yet been appointed, explaining, “The process of appointing an ambassador is lengthy. The government must first be established, after which an ambassador can be designated.”

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada announced in May that a new location for the country’s embassy in Tehran has been determined. “Collaborative efforts with the Iranian side were undertaken to relocate the embassy to a site that is safer and meets all necessary conditions,” he added.

In mid-March, Abbas Mousavi, Iran's former ambassador to Azerbaijan, noted that after attempts by both sides to clear the misconceptions, Tehran and Baku have underlined the need to “open a new chapter” in ties between the two neighbors.