In the shifting landscape of Eurasian geopolitics, where historical rivalries and new strategic equations often collide, a quiet yet consequential recalibration is unfolding between two neighbors with a complex past: Azerbaijan and Iran.

At the heart of this diplomatic revival is a message laden with symbolism and intent. During a recent high-level meeting, the presidents of the two nations addressed each other as "dear brother"—a public display of warmth rarely seen in the recent history of bilateral ties. The language underscored not only a thaw in relations but a deliberate step toward a more structured and strategic partnership.

For Azerbaijan, whose foreign policy has long prioritized strong relations with neighboring powers, including its formal alliance with Turkiye and strategic partnership with Russia, reviving ties with Iran represents a pragmatic evolution. It also reflects the vision first articulated by Azerbaijan's National Leader, Heydar Aliyev, and now refined by his son, President Ilham Aliyev: a foreign policy anchored in balance, pragmatism, and respect for sovereignty.

The backdrop to this rapprochement is critical. In the aftermath of the 2020 Garabagh war, regional alignments have shifted. Azerbaijan emerged more confident, its territorial integrity largely restored. In turn, Baku began reimagining its role........

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