Settlement of Iranian issue puts in question Azerbaijan's exclusivity for the West

Settlement of Iranian issue puts in question Azerbaijan's exclusivity for the West, Russian analyst Sergey Markedonov told ArmInfo.  

"In my opinion this is one of the minuses for Azerbaijan's foreign policy. Due to confrontation of the West and the USA with Iran Azerbaijan was interesting for the West and Baku was not a subject of criticism related to the violation of human rights or electoral processes. This is why Baku attempts to work proactively aimed at if not solving the problems in relations with Iran, then at least making them pragmatic", he emphasized. 

Markedonov notes that Baku is closer to Tehran than to Ankara in the issue of dislike of sharp transformations in the Middle East.  Although due to its strategic union with Turkey, Baku refrains from official statements. 

At the same time according to his assessment Iran's ideological influence on Azerbaijan and fear of its influence on religious situation in Azerbaijan using "soft power" cause Baku's concealed and sometimes open concerns.

"Tehran is also not glad with Azerbaijan's politico-military cooperation with the West, especially with Israel.  25-35 million of Azerbaijanis living in Iran also cause phobias in spite of the fact that Baku makes rather small efforts on regulating activities of Azerbaijani Diaspora in the world. However, after reboot of relations with Iran the USA do not try anymore to use this factor aimed at suppressing ambitions of the Islamic Republic of Iran", the annalist summarized.