On April 28, Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, arrived in Azerbaijan for an official visit, greeted at Heydar Aliyev International Airport by Azerbaijan’s First Deputy Prime Minister Yagub Eyyubov and other officials.

An official welcome ceremony, including a guard of honor, was held for President Pezeshkian, followed by a reception by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The presidents first met in a limited format, discussing the intergovernmental commission’s activities, energy cooperation—including hydroelectric projects on the Araz River—and the completion of the Aghband-Kalaleh bridge. They emphasized regional problem-solving by the countries themselves, reaffirmed support for the 3+3 regional cooperation format, and exchanged views on tourism and cultural cooperation.

At an expanded meeting later that day, Pezeshkian publicly recognized Karabakh as an integral part of Azerbaijan, underscoring unity and bilateral friendship. He noted that, due to a recent explosion in Iran, his visit would be brief but promised to return soon. Aliyev highlighted the visit’s significance in confirming strong bilateral ties, emphasizing that the two nations’ relations are rooted in centuries of brotherhood.

Bilateral Documents

On April 28, a ceremony was held to exchange bilateral documents between Azerbaijan and Iran, attended by Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Masoud Pezeshkian.

The presidents signed a Joint Statement reaffirming commitments to bilateral cooperation. Additionally, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi exchanged a Program of Political Consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs for 2025–2027.

In the transport sector, Rashad Nabiyev, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Digital Development and Transport, and Farzaneh Sadegh, Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development and co-chair of the intergovernmental commission, exchanged two memoranda: one on Comprehensive Cooperation in Transport for 2025–2026, and another on Mutual Recognition of Certificates under Regulation I/10 of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 (as amended).

In the cultural sphere, Adil Karimli, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Culture, and Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, exchanged a Program of Cultural Exchange for 2025–2028.

Finally, Shahin Mustafayev, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Prime Minister and co-chair of the intergovernmental commission, and Farzaneh Sadegh signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Media Cooperation between Azerbaijan’s Media Development Agency and Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.

Joint Press Conference and Business Forum

At a joint press conference, President Pezeshkian praised Aliyev’s leadership and reiterated Iran’s commitment to fostering strategic relations with Azerbaijan across all sectors. He emphasized resolving regional issues through mutual respect for territorial integrity and enhancing cooperation in transport, financial channels, and industry, while preventing external interference.

Both leaders highlighted trilateral projects, particularly the North-South transport corridor, with Aliyev noting Azerbaijan’s completion of its infrastructure segment and plans to expand capacity. At a business forum at the Heydar Aliyev Center, Aliyev invited Iranian companies to participate in Azerbaijan’s infrastructure projects, reaffirming cooperation on major international initiatives.

Addressing regional concerns, Aliyev clarified that the Araz Corridor is a purely infrastructural project aimed at linking Azerbaijan’s mainland with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic via Iran, boosting transit opportunities. At the forum, Pezeshkian emphasized academic, cultural, and entrepreneurial exchanges, proposing a shared regional market extending to Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Both leaders agreed that Azerbaijan and Iran, positioned at a strategic crossroads for East-West and North-South routes, can jointly foster a region characterized by peace, security, and prosperity. Pezeshkian recited poetry by Mohammad-Hossein Shahriar to honor the historical ties between the nations.

Visits

As part of his visit, President Pezeshkian laid a wreath at the Alley of Martyrs, honoring Azerbaijan’s independence heroes, and visited the historic Bibiheybat Mosque. Welcomed by religious leaders, he toured the shrine of Hakima Khanum and held a cordial conversation with Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade. The visit included reflections on the mosque’s history, its destruction in 1936 by Soviet authorities, and its reconstruction under National Leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev, with ongoing support from First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva.