Category: Azer News

Tensions remain high in Iran, following demonstrations that erupted on December 28, 2025, Azernews reports.

Although Iranian officials announced that the situation was under control and organized pro-government rallies yesterday, anti-government protesters flooded the streets in Tehran at night.

Meanwhile, the Iranian rial dropped sharply, approaching near-zero value against the euro and U.S. dollar. Furthermore, according to Iranian and French media outlets, France withdrew its non-essential diplomatic staff from Iran.

Conflicting reports also come over the Pond. Thus, on January 12, U.S. President Donald Trump noted that Iranian leaders had called to negotiate, and a meeting was set up. U.S. media outlets later reported that Iran’s Foreign Minister had approached Steve Witkoff seeking discussions.

Despite all these developments, the world woke up to news that the U.S. had issued a new alert advising its citizens to leave Iran or shelter in place. Donald Trump also wrote on his official Truth Social account that countries conducting business with Iran would be required to pay a 25% tariff on all trade with the United States.

The removal of French non-essential diplomatic staff and the issuance of the new alert have raised expectations that tensions will continue to rise.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with residents of the villages of Ashaghi Oratagh, Childiran, Heyvali, and Chapar in Ashaghi Oratagh village of the Aghdara district on January 13, Azernews reports.

The residents warmly welcomed the head of state.

Addressing the meeting, President Ilham Aliyev said: ‘You have been settled in four villages of the Aghdara district for three days now. I congratulate you on this occasion. I have visited all these villages – Chapar, Heyvali, Childiran, and Ashaghi Oratagh. The houses have been beautifully repaired and restored. Over the past two years, we have conducted monitoring in all settlements and villages of the liberated Aghdara district. In the first phase, we identified the villages to be restored, and former internally displaced persons have already returned to nine villages in the district.

The longing of many long years is now behind us; justice and righteousness have triumphed with victory. Azerbaijan has restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty. Azerbaijanis have returned to their ancestral lands and will live here with pride, happily, and comfortably. I am confident that from now on there will be no more war. The Azerbaijani state is a strong state. What makes us strong is our people – our nation united like a fist.

Over the past two years – since the anti-terror operation in 2023 – life has been restored across these regions: Aghdara, Khojaly, Khankendi, and Khojavend. Five years ago, displaced persons began returning to other formerly occupied territories. Today, already 73,000 people – both former internally displaced persons and those who are working, employed, or studying in the liberated territories – have settled there. Every month, the number of citizens returning to Garabagh increases. All necessary conditions have been created here: electricity, water, gas, roads, and jobs.

Today, we marked the opening of the hydroelectric power plant with a capacity of nearly 15 megawatts in the village of Gozlukorpu. This region is now fully supplied with electricity, and the energy produced here is also transmitted to other regions of Azerbaijan. Roads are being built and expanded from here to Tartar and up to Kalbajar.

Today, I also familiarized myself with the operations of the ‘Damirli’ Ore Processing Complex, where nearly 1,000 jobs are being created. There will be no problem with employment. Both the state and the private sector are creating conditions. At the same time, taking advantage of this beautiful and refreshing nature, it is essential to engage in agriculture, animal husbandry, beekeeping, and fruit growing so that you can live here comfortably and prosperously.

May Allah rest the souls of all our martyrs in peace. Thanks to their blood and lives, and the heroism and bravery of our valiant fighters, we are here on this land today. We will forever keep the dear memory of our martyrs in our hearts. I must also note that we avenged the blood of our martyrs on the battlefield. Their blood has not gone unavenged. During the occupation period, we heard and repeated these words many times and lived with these aspirations. Because the loss of lands and the martyrdom of a large number of our heroes deeply pained us as a nation, but it did not break us. We did not bow down; we showed our will and, on the battlefield, we both avenged our martyrs and reclaimed our lands. In the last 80 years, no other country has achieved such a complete and absolute Victory like Azerbaijan. There have been wars and conflicts, and they continue today, but none have ended in a full and absolute Victory. Yet we, as a great nation, achieved this – in just 44 days, and then in one more day. We divided our glorious Victory and Victory march into two stages, also protecting our youth. Because if the war had not stopped on November 10, 2020, we might have had to sacrifice thousands more martyrs. Including here, in these mountains, in the Aghdara mountains, Kalbajar mountains, Lachin mountains, and the mined corridors of Aghdam. We protected them; we did not sacrifice them. But we knew that the day would come when we would reclaim all of Garabagh, restore our territorial integrity, expel the vile enemy from our lands, and achieve complete Victory. Now here, standing together with you – with a martyr’s mother on one side and an elderly woman on the other – this is a very happy feeling, a happy day, a beautiful day. I sincerely congratulate you; live happily here. Thank you.’

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The meeting continued with commemorative photographs.

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President Ilham Aliyev continued: ‘Of course, we will have many more meetings. Today, the new Master Plan for the city of Aghdara will be presented to me. We will rebuild the city of Aghdara as well, just as we have already revitalized nine villages. We will construct the city too. This place will become a beautiful industrial and tourism center. These refreshing places are a delight to the eye. Mountains, forests, fresh air, springs, and rivers everywhere. That is why the future development of Aghdara will be very bright. The occupiers left virtually no intact building in this area. Look, all these restored buildings today have been rebuilt by the state. But they engaged in looting. From the ‘Damirli’ ore deposit, they perhaps took away copper worth 2 billion dollars, or even more. This is looting, illegal exploitation. Now we have returned, and operations have been established there. As I mentioned, more than 900, approximately up to 1,000 jobs will be created there. Moreover, I have given instructions that the citizens to be employed there should be from this region. Additional investments will definitely be made to expand it.

Agriculture, tourism – in other words, this is a natural paradise. But the vile enemy devastated it, leaving not one stone upon another. Every year, they collected hundreds of millions from Armenian organizations. They did not invest a single manat or dollar here; they looted everything. They burned our homes, displaced you, displaced 1 million people, razed Aghdam to the ground, Fuzuli, Zangilan, Gubadli too. They illegally settled in Kalbajar, Lachin, Khojaly. They even gave Khojaly an ugly name, but none of it stuck. Because the owners of these lands are us; we have returned, and we are building and creating.

From now on, we will live only as a victorious and proud people. Inshallah.’

The residents expressed their gratitude to the President.

A tactical training exercise of the N military unit was carried out in line with the Armed Forces’ 2026 training plan, the Ministry of Defense announced, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen operational readiness and command effectiveness, Azernews reports.

According to the ministry, a field-based command and control point was established during the exercise.

From there, the actions of participating units in executing assigned tasks were specified and coordinated on operational maps, while unit commanders delivered reports on the decisions taken under simulated combat conditions.

The exercise placed particular emphasis on improving the rapid and flexible decision-making capabilities of command staff, enhancing coordination and interaction between headquarters and subordinate units, and increasing the overall combat capability of the formation.

Special attention was also given to developing the field, tactical, and practical skills of military personnel, ensuring they can effectively operate in dynamic and challenging environments.

The training aimed to assess readiness levels, refine command procedures, and strengthen the ability of units to act cohesively during complex operational scenarios, in line with modern military requirements.

A joint action plan aimed at strengthening military discipline and preventing legal violations in the Azerbaijani Armed Forces throughout 2026 has been signed between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Military Prosecutor’s Office, Azernews reports.

The document outlines a series of joint measures to be implemented over the course of the year, specifying their timelines, locations, and responsible officials.

Under the action plan, meetings will be organized in 2026 between servicemen and representatives of the Military Prosecutor’s Office across various branches of the armed forces operating under the Ministry of Defense. These meetings will take place in military units, formations, and associations, as well as in special-purpose military educational institutions.

The meetings are designed to enhance the legal awareness of military personnel, reinforce discipline and the rule of law, and implement targeted measures to address existing challenges within the armed forces.

Iran’s national currency, the rial, has plunged to a historic low, reflecting the deepening economic crisis driven by years of international sanctions, persistently high inflation, and restrictions on oil exports. As a result, the rial’s value against major currencies such as the US dollar and the euro has effectively collapsed, Azernews reports.

The sharp depreciation has further intensified social tensions across the country, adding momentum to protests that have been ongoing since December 28, 2025. Reports indicate that hundreds of people have been killed during the demonstrations, while thousands more have been detained by security forces.

Alongside the currency collapse, inflation has accelerated, leading to a steep rise in the prices of food and basic consumer goods. The growing cost-of-living burden has emerged as a key source of public anger, with many Iranians struggling to afford essential items.

The worsening economic conditions and continued unrest highlight the mounting pressure on Iran’s economy and society, as financial instability increasingly translates into broader political and social challenges.

Initially sparked by frustration over record-high inflation, food prices, and currency depreciation, the protests quickly evolved into a broader movement demanding an end to the current regime.

Beginning with the bazaari (shopkeepers and merchants) in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar and later university students, the demonstrations soon spread not only to major cities but also small settlements chanting anti-government slogans and destroying symbols of the government and the IRGC.

Britain has called for careful multilateral discussion after reports emerged that the United States considered the use of military force to acquire Greenland, a move opposed by Denmark and the island’s residents. Analysts warn the situation could test NATO cohesion and Europe’s strategic influence.

Labour leader Keir Starmer described Greenland as ‘one of the moments when the British government must stand its ground.’ The island, long recognised for its strategic Arctic position, has increasingly attracted attention from major powers, including Russia and China, as melting ice opens up the Northern Passage and new trade routes.

Experts say NATO has historically overlooked Greenland’s military significance, leaving the alliance unprepared for emerging Arctic security challenges. European members have been criticised for prioritising financial contributions over substantive strategic planning, creating a vacuum filled by bilateral negotiations among a few influential capitals.

The UK’s role in NATO has also been affected by past interventions, including the Iraq war, which analysts say weakened Britain’s influence within the alliance. Observers emphasise the importance of adhering to multilateral frameworks such as the UN Security Council to ensure smaller nations’ voices are heard in disputes involving strategic territories like Greenland and countries such as Venezuela.

‘The challenge is to rethink the world order and respect international bodies designed to resolve peace and security issues,’ said a former diplomat. ‘Unilateral approaches risk undermining NATO and eroding Europe’s credibility.’

Greenland’s future is increasingly linked to global security considerations, highlighting the need for careful diplomacy and coordinated action among NATO members, European states, and transatlantic partners.

In the current global economic environment, a country’s geostrategic position and the effective use of this advantage are among the main factors influencing economic growth. For energy-rich Azerbaijan, hydrocarbons remain a key source of revenue, yet it is the country’s location at the crossroads of Eurasia that offers long-term, sustainable economic dividends. Historically a bridge between East and West, Azerbaijan is now reclaiming this role through the development of the Middle Corridor, a transport route whose full potential is only beginning to emerge.

The Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), connects China and East Asia with Europe via Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, the South Caucasus, and Trkiye. While long regarded as an alternative to the Northern and Southern routes, recent geopolitical shifts, supply-chain diversification, and infrastructure investments are rapidly transforming the corridor into a primary trade artery.

According to research by Germany-based Rhenus Logistics, one of the world’s leading multimodal transport and supply chain management companies, cargo volumes on the China-Azerbaijan-Europe route could double by 2030.

According to the company, container traffic along the Trans-Caspian route has grown by approximately 35-40 percent annually over the past two years, rising from 1.5 million tons in 2022 to around 3.2 million tons in 2024. The company attributes this growth to the restructuring of global supply chains, the demand for more resilient logistics routes, and targeted investments in key hubs such as Baku, Aktau, and Kuryk.

Importantly, the Middle Corridor has evolved from a contingency route into a core logistics solution. Improved coordination among railways in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, coupled with the expansion of port capacity on the Caspian Sea, is laying the groundwork for sustained cargo growth. If current trends continue, the route’s throughput could double within the next five years.

Azerbaijan’s role in this transformation is pivotal. As the only country on the Middle Corridor with direct access to both the Caspian Sea and the South Caucasus transport network, it functions as the corridor’s central logistical hinge. Investments in the Port of Baku, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway, digital customs systems, and fleet modernization in the Caspian Sea have significantly increased transit capacity and reduced delivery times.

President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly emphasized that the Middle Corridor is not merely an infrastructure project, but a strategic pillar of Azerbaijan’s economic policy. In a recent interview, he underlined that China will be the main driver of future cargo growth along the route. According to the President, Beijing is financing major railway projects toward the Caspian Sea, including lines through Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan – investments worth billions of dollars despite challenging terrain requiring extensive tunnels and bridges.

This, the President noted, is a clear signal that freight volumes heading toward the Caspian, and therefore Azerbaijan, will increase substantially. Additional cargo from China and Central Asia will, in turn, ensure the full operationalization of the East-West axis via the Middle Corridor.

Despite its strong growth trajectory, the Middle Corridor still faces several structural challenges:

Fragmented coordination among corridor countries, leading to inconsistencies in tariffs, documentation, and transit times;

Capacity constraints in ports, railways, and ferry services across the Caspian Sea during peak periods;

Regulatory and customs inefficiencies, particularly at border crossings;

Cost competitiveness, as the corridor must balance speed advantages against higher multimodal handling costs compared to traditional sea routes.

Without addressing these issues, the corridor risks losing momentum precisely at a time when global demand for alternative routes is accelerating.

The solution lies in deeper regional cooperation and institutional alignment. Harmonizing tariffs, digitizing customs procedures, and introducing unified scheduling and tracking systems across the corridor would significantly improve predictability and cost efficiency. Public-private partnerships can help align infrastructure development with market demand.

Equally important is the diversification of routes within the corridor itself. In this context, President Ilham Aliyev has highlighted the strategic importance of the Zangezur Corridor. Beyond reconnecting mainland Azerbaijan with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the route would serve as an additional international transport link to the West.

As the President noted, Azerbaijan currently has only one railway route to Western markets; the addition of a second would enhance competitiveness, prevent monopolization of transit flows, and allow for more flexible and competitive pricing. For a landlocked country, such redundancy is not a luxury but a strategic necessity.

The Middle Corridor’s expansion promises not only higher transit revenues for Azerbaijan but also broader economic revitalization across the region. By linking China, Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Europe through a resilient, diversified route, the corridor strengthens regional interdependence and reduces vulnerability to external shocks.

As global trade continues to adjust to new geopolitical and economic realities, the Middle Corridor is increasingly positioned as a long-term solution rather than a temporary alternative. With sustained investment, coordinated policies, and strong international partnerships, Azerbaijan stands to consolidate its role as a key Eurasian logistics hub – turning geography into an enduring economic advantage.

Under the joint organisation of the Azerbaijan Winter Sports Federation and the Shahdag Tourism Centre, and in line with the FIS calendar, competitions on the third day of the Azerbaijan Open international alpine skiing tournament were held.

On the final day of the tournament, athletes competed in the slalom discipline of alpine skiing, battling for top honours.

According to the results, Kazakhstan’s Kseniya Brezhnaya claimed first place, followed by her compatriot Dalel Talkunova in second, while Uzbekistan’s Kseniya Grigoreva secured third place.

It should be noted that the Azerbaijan Open tournament featured 25 female athletes across various age categories from Azerbaijan, as well as Switzerland, Hungary, Slovenia, Georgia, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Trkiye, Nepal, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan.

Azerbaijan was represented in the competitions by alpine skier Anastasiya Papatoma.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has accused foreign-backed militants of carrying out violent attacks inside the country, claiming that individuals brought in from abroad were responsible for arson, killings and other acts of brutality during recent unrest.

In remarks reported by local media, the President alleged that the perpetrators had set fire to mosques, killed civilians and, in some cases, carried out beheadings. He said those involved did not belong to the country and should not be confused with citizens expressing legitimate grievances.

The latest edition of IRENA’s Renewable Energy and Jobs Series, produced in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), shows that employment in the renewable energy sector worldwide continues to grow, reaching at least 16.6 million jobs globally in 2025.

Despite record capacity additions in 2024, the report notes that employment growth was moderated by several factors: economies of scale, automation, technological innovation, excess manufacturing capacity, and grid bottlenecks that have limited electricity generation.

The report highlights persistent workforce challenges, including barriers to hiring and career advancement for women, and limited opportunities for people with disabilities. ‘The human side of renewable energy is still too often overlooked or taken for granted,’ the report notes.

Looking ahead, continued expansion in renewable energy deployment is expected to add more jobs across the sector. IRENA emphasizes that education and training should be central to a comprehensive policy approach, integrating deployment support, finance and investment, industrial and trade policies, supply chain development, economic revitalization, and inclusive workforce strategies.

The findings underline the dual challenge for policymakers: scaling renewable energy deployment while ensuring the sector is equitable, inclusive, and capable of sustaining a skilled workforce for the long term.