The visit of Syria's interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, to Baku last weekend highlighted a dramatic shift in regional alliances, prompting concerns, suspicions, and strategic recalculations in Iranian media.
Official statements following Sharas's meeting with President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the beginning of a new era in relations between Syria and Azerbaijan. Both leaders acknowledged that there had been a stalemate in relations between the two countries in the past, directly blaming ousted President Bashar al-Assad for his "hostile policies," and pledged to restore and deepen cooperation.
In particular, the visit resulted in an agreement to export Azerbaijani gas to Syria via Turkey. Officials hailed the agreement as a necessary solution to Syria's chronic energy crisis, A2 reports.
Meanwhile, several media outlets, including Israeli ones, claimed that Syrian and Israeli officials met behind the scenes during this visit. It is not clear whether Sharaa attended the meeting, but the very existence of such a meeting – facilitated by Azerbaijan, Israel’s main ally in the region – has further increased concerns in Tehran.
Sharaa, a former rebel known by the nickname Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, joined the Turkish-backed rebels and in December 2024 led his faction, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), in a rapid offensive that ultimately toppled the Iranian- and Russian-backed Assad government.
Security challenges
A common concern in Iranian media is what is seen as a shift in the militant footprint from the Syrian battlefields to the Caucasus – right on Iran's doorstep.
The pro-reformist newspaper Arman-e Melli argued that one aspect of the developing relations between Damascus and Baku would include the transfer of fighters based in Syria through Turkey to bases in Azerbaijan – a possible development that it described as a “mission” for Sharan.
According to the newspaper, their presence aims to destabilize areas along the borders of Iran and Russia, as well as conduct operations against the broader China-Russia-Iran axis.
The conservative newspaper Farhikhtegan took a similar stance, claiming that Sharaa sees the redeployment of his fighters as a way to meet the United States' demand to expel foreign fighters from Syria.
Under this plan, she added, Azerbaijan would become a strategic hub – either as a launching point for further infiltrations into the Caucasus and Russia, or as a permanent establishment in areas like Karabakh.
"Message" to Iran
The Israeli network i24NEWS, citing an unidentified Syrian source, claimed that Israel and the United States had decided that Baku would be the site of a meeting between Israeli and Syrian officials to "send a message to Iran."
Referring to this report, the Iranian state-run newspaper Jam-e Jam charged that, given Baku's history of alleged involvement in operations against Iran over the years, and suspicions of its cooperation with Israel during last month's war, this could be taken as "clear evidence" that some neighboring countries are cooperating with Israel against Iran.
The newspaper specifically mentioned Azerbaijan and its allies, Turkey and Israel, as countries that are “shaping new dynamics that work against Iran’s interests.”
According to her, Iran will need to defend its national interests with diplomatic and security wisdom, including strengthening relations with neighbors such as Armenia and Russia, as well as maintaining a strong stance against "Baku's provocations."
Tehran is watching with growing concern as Azerbaijan strengthens ties with Israel.
In recent years, the partnership has expanded significantly, marked by ever-deepening defense cooperation and Baku's decision to open an embassy in Tel Aviv in 2023 – developments that have only increased Iranian distrust.
Iran's President, Masoud Pezeshkian, last month asked Aliyev to "investigate and verify" reports that Israeli drones, including micro-drones, had entered Iranian airspace through Azerbaijani territory during the 12-day war that ended with a ceasefire on June 24.
Aliyev rejected the accusations, stating that his government would never allow Azerbaijani territory to be used against Iran./ REL (A2 Televizion)
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