Iran experienced a political shift with the appointment of Masoud Pezeshkian, an ethnic Azeri, as the new president after the death of Ebrahim Raisi. Pezeshkian’s Azerbaijani origin has sparked speculation about his focus on regional cooperation.
His emphasis on promoting peace and development in the region, as opposed to arms races, hints at a new direction for Iran. The reopening of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Tehran signifies a step towards improved relations between the two countries.
Both Iran and Azerbaijan have expressed a commitment to fostering stability in the region through political cooperation. However, tensions arise with Iran’s ambassador in Armenia discussing the rights of displaced Armenians without addressing the displaced Azerbaijanis.
The differing political stances within Iran, from the reformist Pezeshkian to the more hardline diplomats, indicate a period of political turmoil. Moving forward, Iran’s political landscape may witness a clash between populist and conservative factions.
Despite the rhetoric of peace and cooperation, underlying tensions and political divisions within Iran suggest a complex future for the region.
The writer is a Middle East scholar and commentator on the region.