The war that broke out in 2025 between Israel and Iran has shaken not only the Middle East but also deeply affected the South Caucasus region. As two major powers clashed, several surrounding nations found themselves indirectly drawn into the conflict. Among them, Azerbaijan – a country of strategic significance and energy importance – faced unique threats and opportunities arising from this confrontation.
For years, Azerbaijan has maintained a careful balance in its foreign policy – building strong strategic and military-technical ties with Israel, while also sharing a long border and deep cultural-religious connections with Iran. The full-scale war that erupted in 2025 made this balancing act far more difficult.
In the early stages of the conflict, Iranian officials and state media strongly criticized Azerbaijan's ties with Israel. Tehran accused Baku of allowing Israeli intelligence activity on its soil. While Azerbaijan firmly denied these accusations, Iran responded by deploying more troops to the border and conducting large-scale military exercises nearby.
Azerbaijan publicly emphasized its neutral stance in the conflict. President Ilham Aliyev and the Foreign Ministry declared that the country would not allow its territory to be used against third parties. At the same time, Baku reaffirmed its sovereign right to choose its partners and defend its security interests.
Azerbaijan plays a crucial role in Europe's energy supply, acting as a key corridor for oil and gas exports. With fears that the Israel-Iran conflict might spill over into the wider region, serious concerns arose over the security of the Southern Gas Corridor and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline:
Iran's potential targeting of regional infrastructure prompted Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey to reinforce the protection of energy assets and pipelines.
The war has triggered sharp fluctuations in global oil prices. While Azerbaijan, as an energy exporter, initially benefited from higher prices, prolonged instability could pose long-term economic and investment risks.
Azerbaijan's defense partnership with Israel has long contributed to enhancing its military capabilities. The ongoing conflict has made this relationship even more critical:
Tehran sees this partnership as a threat to its national security. Azerbaijan's growing reliance on Israeli military support has thus become a further source of tension in bilateral relations.
The Israel-Iran war has not only played out on battlefields, but also in the digital and media domains. Public opinion in Azerbaijan has been divided, with competing narratives circulating widely:
On one hand, many Azerbaijanis support strategic ties with Israel; on the other, some feel uneasy about any potential confrontation with a fellow Muslim-majority nation, Iran.
Social media platforms have seen a rise in false information and provocations aimed at pulling Azerbaijan deeper into the conflict. State authorities have taken steps to counteract such narratives and maintain public calm.
The Israel-Iran war has presented one of the most complex challenges in Azerbaijan's recent foreign policy history. Baku now finds itself navigating a delicate path – striving to preserve security, uphold regional stability, and protect its national interests amidst regional chaos.
So far, Azerbaijan's calculated and measured diplomacy has helped it remain stable while contributing to regional peace. However, should the conflict intensify or prolong, Baku may soon face even tougher choices that could redefine its strategic orientation.
The continued preservation of balance in this geopolitical storm remains essential – not only for Azerbaijan, but for the peace and development of the wider Caucasus region.
