Strategies to Strengthen Relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Studies,University of kashan, Kashan, Iran.

10.22081/psq.2024.68456.2871

Abstract

After the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 1991, the relationship between this country and the Islamic Republic of Iran experienced various fluctuations. Consequently, diverse perspectives emerged in Azerbaijan regarding Iran, sometimes fostering an atmosphere of ambiguity between the two nations. The question arises: what strategies and solutions can foster convergence between these neighboring countries? This study delves into factors contributing to convergence, such as historical ties and shared cultural elements, the significance of traditional rituals, linguistic affinity, and ethnic commonality. Employing the theoretical framework of convergence known as IME (ideological, motivational, and environmental) along with the library method and semi-structured interviews, the study aims to address this challenge. It proposes solutions for fostering social relations between the two countries within the realm of society and public diplomacy, underlining the role of public relations and public diplomacy in strengthening the ties between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan. These solutions include fostering civilizational connections between the people of Iran and Azerbaijan, promoting health tourism and medical services for Shia communities in Azerbaijan within Iran, reciprocating medical services to the people of Azerbaijan, and facilitating pilgrimage and religious tourism for Azerbaijani Shias to visit sacred sites in Iran, such as the shrines of Imam Rida, Lady Fatima Maʿsuma, and Shah Cheragh.

Keywords

References

  1. Afzali, R., Rashidi, M., & Motaghi, A. (2012). Analysis of the Geopolitical Structure Governing Bilateral Relations Between Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan from 1991 to 2010 with a Constructivist Geography Approach. Human Geography Research, 44(80), pp. 1-19. [In Persian]
  2. Amir Ahmadian, B. (2005). Iran-Azerbaijan Relations. Tehran: Ministry of Foreign Affairs. [In Persian]
  3. Amiri, M. (2006). Evaluation of Iran-Azerbaijan Relations in the Twentieth Century. Parliament and Research, 13(53), pp. 239-279. [In Persian]
  4. Birgani Qorbani, K., & Vali Arab, M. (2017). The Role of Genghis Khan's Political Marriages in the Unification of the Mongols. Kharazmi History Journal, 5(18), pp. 98-112. [In Persian]
  5. Hamed, S. (2016). Examining the Legal Provisions of Iranian Women’s Marriage with Foreign Nationals (Master’s thesis). Islamic Azad University, Shahroud Branch, Faculty of Law.
  6. Johnson, Ch. (1968). Iran’s Rolein the South Caucasus and Caspian Region: Diverging Views of the U.S and Europe. SWP Berlin Iran and its Neighbors.
  7. Lieber, R.J. (1972). Theory and World Politics. Cambridge: Winthrop Publishers.
  8. Madani, S. J. (2014). Contemporary Political History of Iran. Qom: Society of Seminary Teachers. [In Persian]
  9. Majlesi, M. B. (2000). Bihar al-Anwar (Vol. 13, A. Davani, Trans.). Qom: Mahdi Mo’ud. [In Persian]
  10. Masoumi, S. A. (2021). Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies and Solutions) (Doctoral dissertation). Islamic Studies University, Qom, Iran.
  11. Mohammadi, M., & Mahbubi, Q. (2017). Examining the Cultural Convergence Components of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran. International Political Studies, 2(2), pp.105-127. [In Persian]
  12. Rasulzadeh, M. A. (2001). The Republic of Azerbaijan: How It Was Formed and Its Current Status (T. Salmzadeh, Trans.). Tehran: Shirazeh. [In Persian]
  13. Saduq, A. (2003). Kamal al-Din wa Tamam al-Ni'ma (Vol. 2). Qom: Jamkaran Mosque. [In Arabic]
  14. Surni, B., Nasrollah, P., Baqerali, A., & Mohsen, B. (2018). Political Marriages: From the Arrival of the Timurids to the Rise of the Safavids (Causes and Consequences). Historical Research, 10(3), Issue 39. [In Persian]
  15. Tabari, M. (1967). History of Nations and Kings (Vol. 11). Beirut: Rawai' al-Turath al-Arabi. [In Arabic]
  16. Taqizadeh Davari, M. (2010). The Shiites of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Qom: Shiite Studies Publications. [In Persian]
  17. Zare Shahmarasi, P. (2006). Iranian Azerbaijan and Caucasian Azerbaijan. Tabriz: Akhtar. [In Persian]
  18. Interview with Abbas Azizi, Head of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization, Qom Office. Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021.
  19. Interview with Alireza Bigdeli, former Ambassador of Iran to the Republic of Azerbaijan. Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021. Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021.
  20. Interview with an Azerbaijani elite (name not disclosed). Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021.
  21. Interview with Araz Rostamzadeh, an intellectual from the Republic of Azerbaijan. Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021.
  22. Interview with Dr. Abdolreza Rashid, Senior Expert in Regional Studies. Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021.
  23. Interview with Dr. Mohammad Javad Zarif, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021.
  24. Interview with Dr. Vali Dadashi, former representative of Astara County. Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021.
  25. Interview with Elgar Hajiyev, active student and social activist in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021.
  26. Interview with Elshan Ibrahimov, an Azerbaijani businessman in Tehran. Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021.
  27. Interview with Golzar Ibrahim Ava, Ph.D. in Political Science, Head of the Human Rights Institute of ANAS in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021.
  28. Interview with Hamed Sarkhosh, Deputy of Saman Bank, Amin Boulevard Branch, Qom. Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021.
  29. Interview with Hojjatoleslam wal-Muslimin Mohammad Ali Moeinian, Director General of Asia and Oceania, International Affairs Department of the Ahlul Bayt World Assembly; June 2021. Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021.
  30. Interview with Hojjatoleslam wal-Muslimin Mohammad Reza Jabari, Friday prayer leader of the city of Showt in West Azerbaijan Province. Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021.
  31. Interview with Hojjatoleslam wal-Muslimin Ojaghnejad, representative of the Supreme Leader in Azerbaijan. Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021.
  32. Interview with Hojjatoleslam wal-Muslimin Zarean, Deputy of International Affairs of the Ahlul Bayt World Assembly; December 2021. Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021.
  33. Interview with Ibrahim Ayvazov, an Azerbaijani elite; February 2021. Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021.
  34. Interview with Ibrahim Ayvazov, media and social activist from the Republic of Azerbaijan. Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021.
  35. Interview with Jalal Nezafat, First-Class Political Counselor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stationed in Turkey. Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021.
  36. Interview with Mohammad Baqer Bahrami, former Ambassador of Iran to the Republic of Azerbaijan. Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021.
  37. Interview with Mohsen Pak-Ayeen, former Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Azerbaijan; July 2021. Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021.
  38. Interview with Mokhtar Shamseddini, Head of the Library of the Ahlul Bayt World Assembly. Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021.
  39. Interview with Mostafa Behbahani, Head of the Publications Department of the Ahlul Bayt World Assembly. Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021.
  40. Interview with Ms. Ali Ava, Azerbaijani activist in the field of tourism. Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021.
  41. Interview with Saadat Ali Ava, Head of Cultural Centers of Tap Tap TV in Azerbaijan. Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021.
  42. Interview with Sara Ali Ava, cultural and social activist in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021.
  43. Interview with Seyed Abbas Mousavi, current Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Azerbaijan. Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021.
  44. Interview with Tofiq Asadov, faculty member of the Virtual University of al-Mustafa International University. Taken from a PhD dissertation entitled, Convergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Republic of Azerbaijan (Strategies, Solutions). Qom: Central Library of the University of Islamic Sciences, 2021.
  45. Scientific Meeting with Mr. Pak-Ayeen, former Ambassador of Iran to Azerbaijan, titled "Identity Challenges of Azerbaijani Shiites," dated 11/30/2017.
  46. Qafqaz Analytical News Website (2013, October 31). Retrieved from https://qafqaz.ir

 

 

Political Science
Volume 26, Issue 4 - Serial Number 104
November 2023
Pages 294-258

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics