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Azerbaijan Conducts Military Drill with Iran While Maintaining Israeli Alliance

Azerbaijan and Iran launched a joint military exercise, codenamed "Aras 2025," on Sunday in the Karabakh region, a territory controversially recaptured by Baku from Armenia approximately two years ago. Forces from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly crossed the border into Azerbaijan for the manoeuvres, according to Iran's Tasnim news agency, which is affiliated with the IRGC.

The exercise, featuring special forces from the Iranian and Azerbaijani militaries, will continue until May 21. This marks a significant, albeit complex, display of cooperation. While a similar exercise, "Aras 2024," occurred last year, with an Azerbaijani military delegation observing drills in Iran's Ardabil province last November, holding "Aras 2025" in the sensitive Karabakh region is seen by some observers as a potential indicator of warming relations between Baku and Tehran. This development is particularly noteworthy given Armenia's traditional, though recently strained, alliance with Iran.

General Vali Madani, IRGC Ground Forces Deputy Commander for Operations and joint exercise commander, confirmed that special forces crossed at Bileh Savar in northwestern Iran. "This exercise represents a significant step in strengthening security along our shared border and addressing potential threats," Madani stated.

This military cooperation unfolds against the backdrop of Azerbaijan's notably close and strategic alliance with Israel. This partnership includes substantial arms sales from Israel to Azerbaijan and reported diplomatic mediation by Baku between Jerusalem and Ankara regarding Syria. The decision to conduct joint drills with Iran, a nation openly hostile to Israel, underscores the intricate geopolitical balancing act Azerbaijan is navigating in the volatile Caucasus region.

Photo: Israel Hayom

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