Category: Azer News

One of the top counterterrorism officials in the United States, Joe Kent, has resigned over his country’s war against Iran, AzerNEWS reports via Aljazeera.

On Tuesday, he published a copy of his resignation letter on the social media platform X, addressing his correspondence to US President Donald Trump.

‘I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran,’ Kent wrote.

‘Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.’

On March 29, Safarli Gallery will host a book presentation and an exhibition of illustrative works by the young Azerbaijani artist and writer Rustam Guliyev, who currently lives and works in the United States, AzerNEWS reports.

Guests will be introduced to his new book, “THE ARK OF OOMINOR”. A traveler’s handbook to another earth – a continuation of the talented author’s creative journey, offering readers and viewers a glimpse into his own fantastic universe.

The exhibition will bring together illustrations created by the artist for the book and will serve as a kind of journey into a world of imagination, freedom, and self-discovery. The organizers note that it is not just an exhibition and book presentation but also an opportunity to experience a unique artistic reality born from the author’s imagination.

Rustam Guliyev was born in Baku. His love for reading and creativity emerged early in childhood. His drawings stood out for their unusual technique and images of fantastic animals and birds. Remarkably, he created them instantly-without preliminary sketches or preparation. A graduate of the Oxford art circle, he has repeatedly won awards at exhibitions. Among them, he was a laureate of the “On the Wings of Fantasy” competition by British Airways at the age of seven. At twelve, he decided to bring his invented characters to life and began writing stories. This marked the beginning of his creative path. By the age of seventeen, his works were presented at the Viyacelli Gallery in Paris, which also hosted the presentation of his first book, “Pauls-Lauls – a world not for humans.”

Rustam received his higher education in Turkiye, graduating from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Bilkent University. Later, he worked at the Baku Media Center before continuing his studies in the master’s program at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, where exhibitions of his illustrations were also held.

The book presentation and illustration exhibition in Baku promise to be a vibrant event for art and fantasy enthusiasts, opening the door to the extraordinary world created by the imagination of this young author.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az,Trend.Az, Day.Az, and Milli.Az.

Netflix is stepping into the world of combat sports, announcing its first-ever mixed martial arts (MMA) tournament, AzerNEWS reports.

The historic event, the Most Valuable Promotions MMA Tournament, will take place on May 16 at the Intuit Dome Arena in Los Angeles. The tournament will be broadcast live to 325 million Netflix subscribers worldwide, marking the platform’s official debut in the MMA scene.

The card promises star-studded action, featuring legends like Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, as well as high-profile matchups including Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry and Francis Ngannou vs. Philip Lenz. Fans can expect explosive fights and unforgettable moments, as Netflix aims to bring cinematic production quality to the octagon.

Netflix had previously negotiated with the UFC for rights to broadcast all numbered events. However, the talks fell through because Netflix wanted to focus solely on fights featuring major stars, opting out of UFC Fight Night and UFC Vegas events. Consequently, the UFC signed a seven-year, $7.7 billion deal with Paramount, a record-breaking contract in combat sports history.

Netflix has already proven its ability to draw massive audiences for combat sports. Its broadcast of Jake Paul’s fight against Mike Tyson reached 108 million viewers, while Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’s clash with Terence Crawford drew 41.4 million viewers, setting new records for streaming boxing events.

Looking ahead, Netflix is not stopping at MMA. In September 2026, the platform will broadcast the highly anticipated rematch between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao at The Sphere Arena in Las Vegas, further solidifying its role as a major player in the world of combat sports.

Netflix plans to experiment with interactive elements during the MMA tournament, giving viewers the ability to choose camera angles, replay key moments, and even vote on ‘fan-favorite fight bonuses’ in real time, blending traditional sports broadcasting with cutting-edge streaming technology.

Fresh off his Best Actor win at the Academy Awards, Michael B. Jordan marked the moment in true Hollywood fashion with a late-night stop at In-N-Out Burger, AzerNEWS reports, citing foreign media.

The actor, who took home the award for his role in the vampire-blues film Sinners, was spotted still dressed in his sleek black red-carpet suit as he enjoyed a cheeseburger with his Oscar statuette placed proudly on the table. Smiling for fans and cameras, Jordan even signed paper hats for restaurant staff, turning the casual meal into a celebratory moment.

Photos suggest the star opted for In-N-Out’s famous ‘3×3’ burger perhaps a well-earned indulgence after the long awards ceremony.

Despite the laid-back setting, the visit was anything but private, as crowds of photographers and excited fans gathered around the restaurant to catch a glimpse of the newly crowned Oscar winner.

Jordan joins a long list of Hollywood stars who have made post-Oscars fast food runs part of their tradition. Back in 2005, Hilary Swank celebrated her Best Actress win for Million Dollar Baby with a stop at Astro Burger, still wearing her evening gown.

Meanwhile, Julia Roberts and Jamie Lee Curtis have also been seen grabbing In-N-Out after Oscars appearances in recent years.

The connection between Hollywood’s biggest night and the iconic burger chain runs deep. The annual afterparty hosted by Vanity Fair has reportedly served In-N-Out burgers since 1994, cementing the fast food staple as an unofficial Oscars-night tradition.

From red carpets to drive-thrus, Jordan’s celebratory stop highlights a beloved post-ceremony ritual-where even the biggest stars trade fine dining for comfort food after Hollywood’s most glamorous night.

The threads within Iran’s system of governance are growing thinner by the day. Beginning on 28 February, during the first days of large-scale attacks on Iran by the joint forces of the United States and Israel, the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, further accelerated the wave of targeted killings against leadership figures. However, the relative stability of the situation in Iran following Khamenei’s death, more precisely, the fact that the pillars of power did not entirely collapse, has added a somewhat different shade to perceptions about Iran’s future. Some believe that, given the abundance of alternatives for leadership positions in Iran, such operations will not significantly contribute to the plans of the United States and Israel.

Interestingly, in recent days, the killings of both high-ranking military generals and, according to the latest reports, figures at the highest levels of governance, including Ali Larijani, and the IRGC’s Basij force commander, Gholamreza Soleimani, have returned the tempo to its previous intensity. This suggests that the United States believes that the central pillar of Iran’s governance, which has turned into a myth of ‘invincibility’, may at some point become fragile and collapse altogether.

It is also noteworthy that, according to earlier speculation, US President Donald Trump had shared a list of preferred candidates in Iran. Conversely, Ali Larijani was reportedly included in the list of leaders considered targets by the United States.

Trump’s objective is not a total regime collapse, but rather a ‘change within the regime’ through what he calls the ‘Delcy Model.’ Referencing the 2026 extraction of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela, he aims to bypass hardline successors such as Mojtaba Khamenei (whom he has explicitly rejected) in favour of a ‘great and acceptable’ insider willing to surrender unconditionally and cooperate with Washington. While he has not publicly named a specific favourite, he appears to be seeking a pragmatic figure from within the existing establishment, potentially a more moderate cleric such as Hassan Khomeini or a technocrat, who could ensure the survival of the system while dismantling Iran’s nuclear programme and ending regional hostilities.

Let us take a closer look inside Iran.

As of March 2026, the main political figures in Iran are led by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who assumed office on 8 March 2026. Key officials navigating the country’s power structure include President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and various security and clerical leaders within a complex, authoritarian, and largely conservative-controlled system.

Masoud Pezeshkian (President), elected in July 2024 following the death of Ebrahim Raisi, manages the day-to-day operations of government, although his authority is largely overshadowed by the Supreme Leader. Even according to some speculative views, Pezeshkian is considered the most neutral figure for the United States, and in the event of a regime transformation within Iran, he may have a significant chance of remaining in power.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (Parliament Speaker), a powerful conservative figure, IRGC general, and former mayor of Tehran who leads the legislative branch.

Ahmad Jannati (Guardian Council), who is the Secretary of the influential Guardian Council, and vets candidates for office and ensures that legislation complies with Islamic law.

Abbas Araghchi (Foreign Minister) is also a key figure handling foreign affairs. At the same time, according to Western analysts, Araghchi is seen as one of the most suitable figures for diplomacy, and there has been ongoing discussion about his secret yet episodic contacts with the U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff.

Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei (Chief Justice): Head of the judiciary.

Sadiq Larijani, Chairman of the Expediency Discernment Council.

And finally, Ali Larijani, who served as a key adviser to the supreme leadership and often acted as a bridge between factions, was killed as a result of the Israeli strike. Ali Larijani was one of the most significant allies of the Supreme Leader and a staunch defender of the radical theocratic system. For Israel, the presence of such figures poses an obstacle to the implementation of its future plans regarding Iran. It appears that, unlike the United States, Israel has no interest whatsoever in conducting negotiations with Iran in any form, and that the removal of key figures plays a crucial role in undermining the foundations of Iran’s theocratic structure.

Today, a serious question arises: to what extent does Iran plan to continue resisting the United States and Israel while sacrificing its leaders one by one?

If Iran continues to lose its leadership figures, this points either to a significant weakness in its security apparatus or to the ease with which espionage networks are operating within the country. In such a case, regardless of which alternatives Iran seeks to activate, it may be considered inevitable that its leading figures will become targets in the next phase.

Or perhaps Iran’s system itself is already beginning to collapse? For instance, many family members of Iran’s radical religious elite are today seeking refuge in the West. It is claimed that Ali Larijani’s daughter, Fatemeh Ardeshir Larijani, emigrated to the United States in 2021 through a Green Card and has since worked there as a professor and doctor in the medical field, reportedly attempting to remain outside the political radar of her father and the Iranian regime. Similarly, Mahmoud Mouradkhani, the nephew of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has long opposed the Iranian regime and sought asylum in France.

All of this suggests that the relatives of Iran’s ruling elite are increasingly dissatisfied with the system, and, as the saying goes, ‘a fish rots from the head.’ The reality that Iran’s authority is gradually eroding from within appears to be proving itself more and more with each passing day.

The Mobile World Congress (MWC), once again, brought together leading players of the global communications and technology ecosystem in Barcelona, serving as a key platform for discussing industry trends, showcasing innovative solutions, and fostering international collaboration. Inclusive business practices and the digital well-being of younger generations were among the priority topics addressed during the congress.

Dilara Huseynova, Chief Human Resources Officer of Azercell, spoke at the event, highlighting the importance of fostering a more inclusive environment in the technology sector: ‘As one of the key enablers of Azerbaijan’s digital transformation, we clearly recognize our responsibility to create equal opportunities in ICT sector. Therefore, gender inclusivity remains one of the strategic priorities of our company.’

Ms. Huseynova presented Azercell’s comprehensive approach to developing the next generation of female ICT specialists from early career orientation to supporting professional growth and building leadership capabilities. ‘Particular emphasis is placed on fostering interest and engaging girls in technology from an early age, as well as creating favorable environment for their sustainable participation in the industry,’ she noted.

During the discussions Ms. Huseynova also highlighted the company’s impactful social initiatives in this area. These included Azercell’s support for the national girls’ team participating in the International Informatics Olympiads and the ‘Ugur qizlarimizindir’ (‘Success for Girls’) initiative. Special interest of the audience was drawn to partnerships with non-governmental organizations implemented under the company’s social program, aimed at enhancing digital and entrepreneurial competencies among women.

Azercell Telecom is a member of the GSM Association (GSMA) and actively collaborates with the organization across a number of areas. The company participated in the pilot implementation of the EQUALS Gender Inclusivity Index – a global initiative designed to advance gender equality in the digital age. The index promotes more inclusive industry practices, challenges persistent stereotypes, and supports the development of a more equitable digital ecosystem.

Azerbaijan is set to host another prestigious sporting event this summer, AzerNEWS reports, citing the Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation.

Baku will host two international beach wrestling tournaments from August 27 to 29.

On August 27, the capital will stage the U17 Beach Wrestling World Championships. Over the following two days, the fourth stage of the Senior World Championships will take place. Both competitions will be held in Azerbaijan for the first time.

Note that Baku will also host the UWW U17 World Championships 2026 from July 27 to August 2.

Wrestling remains the most widely followed sport in Azerbaijan and is governed by the National Wrestling Federation, established in 1993.

A major turning point in the nation’s wrestling legacy came at the Rio Olympic Games, where Azerbaijan distinguished itself as one of only two countries to improve its medal haul across five consecutive Olympic Games.

Azerbaijan’s success continued in 2020, when its freestyle wrestlers finished third in the overall medal standings at the Individual World Cup in Serbia, capturing two medals, one silver and one bronze, behind leaders Russia and Turkiye.

Further highlighting the country’s strength on the world stage, Osman Nurmagomedov claimed the 92 kg world title at the 2022 World Championships in Belgrade, overcoming a Russian rival in the final.

Most recently, Azerbaijan added to its Olympic record at the 2024 Summer Games, securing three bronze medals in wrestling. Hasrat Jafarov reached the podium in the 67 kg Greco-Roman category, while Giorgi Meshvildishvili (125 kg) and Magomedkhan Magomedov (97 kg) delivered bronze medals in freestyle wrestling.

The country has earned a reputation for successfully hosting major competitions, from European and World Championships to youth tournaments, welcoming athletes from around the globe with world-class venues and hospitality.

Cities like Baku, Ganja, and others have become key destinations for wrestling fans, showcasing Azerbaijan’s ability to combine a rich sporting heritage with modern event management.

Medals won by Azerbaijani athletes at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games, which were later found to have deteriorated, have been replaced with new ones, AzerNEWS reports.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) informed the National Olympic Committee (NOC) about the replacement process.

It was noted that the silver medal of taekwondo athlete Gashim Magomedov and the bronze medal of Greco-Roman wrestler Hasrat Jafarov have already been replaced.

The new medals are expected to be delivered to the National Olympic Committee in Baku by March 20.

The Olympic medalists will be invited to the NOC for an official presentation ceremony, where the newly issued medals will be formally handed over to them.

Azerbaijan won a total of seven medals at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games.

The national team secured two gold, two silver, and three bronze medals, placing the country around the top 30 in the overall medal standings.

The Azerbaijani judoka Hidayat Heydarov claimed gold in the 73 kg category, while Zelym Kotsoiev added another gold in the 100 kg division.

In taekwondo, Gashim Magomedov earned a silver medal in the 58 kg category. Another silver came from boxing, where Loren Alfonso Dominguez reached the final in the +92 kg weight class.

Wrestling, long considered a cornerstone of Azerbaijan’s Olympic success, contributed three bronze medals.

Hasrat Jafarov secured bronze in Greco-Roman wrestling (67 kg), while Magomedkhan Magomedov and Giorgi Meshvildishvili added to the tally in freestyle categories.

For centuries, the fertile lands of Azerbaijan have been synonymous with abundance. During the Soviet era, Azerbaijan earned the prestigious, albeit informal, title of the “Empire’s Orchard. ” From the high-altitude tea plantations of Lankaran to the sun-drenched tomato fields of Shamkir, Azerbaijani produce fed millions across the vast geography of the USSR. However, as the Soviet Union dissolved, so did the centralised supply chains, leaving the nation’s most resilient sector-agriculture-at a crossroads.

Today, Azerbaijan is not just reclaiming its historical title; it is rewriting the narrative. The agricultural sector, particularly fruit and vegetable production, has been the fastest to recover and evolve in the post-independence era. The numbers are staggering: over the last 30 years, fruit exports have surged by 366 times, while vegetable exports have increased 21-fold. Despite its relatively small landmass, Azerbaijan has secured a seat at the global table, ranking 2nd in persimmons, among the top five for hazelnuts, and the top eleven for tomato exports globally.

Despite these triumphs, a strategic vulnerability remains. For nearly 200 years, the Azerbaijani export machine has been geared almost exclusively toward the Russian Empire. This dependency is not accidental; it is rooted in shared history, established logistics, and deep-seated brand recognition. In the competitive world of perishables, where “time to market” is everything, the familiar path to Moscow is often the path of least resistance.

However, over-reliance on a single market is a double-edged sword. Geopolitical shifts, economic sanctions, or sudden changes in import regulations can jeopardize the livelihoods of thousands of Azerbaijani farmers. Recognizing this, both the government and private exporters have embarked on a mission to diversify. It is a monumental task-akin to turning a massive tanker at sea, but recent data from the State Statistical Committee suggests the tide is finally turning.

The export data for persimmons constitute a compelling case study for this transition. Last year, Azerbaijan exported 187,545 tons of persimmons valued at $144.2 million-a 27% increase in value compared to 2024. While Russia remains the primary buyer, accounting for roughly 85% of the volume, the growth in “non-traditional” markets is where the real story lies.

Particularly impressive is the expansion into Turkiye. While Turkiye is a global agricultural powerhouse known for exporting everything from soup to nuts, Azerbaijan managed to increase its persimmon exports there by eight times in a single year. Penetrating a market as competitive and self-sufficient as Turkiye is a massive endorsement of the quality and competitive pricing of Azerbaijani produce.

Furthermore, the resumption of exports to Syria, the first in 14 years, represents more than just a trade figure. Sending 17.83 tons of fruit to a nation in the midst of post-war reconstruction is a masterstroke of “economic diplomacy.” Establishing a foothold in Syria now creates a gateway for other sectors of the Azerbaijani economy to enter as the country rebuilds.

The diversification of our export map, stretching from the traditional hubs of Belarus (+5 times growth) and Kazakhstan to the emerging markets of the Levant, proves that the “Made in Azerbaijan” brand is gaining international traction.

However, we need to be realistic. Transitioning away from a 200-year-old trade habit requires more than just high-quality fruit. It requires modernised logistics, such as cold chain infrastructure that can reach Europe or Southeast Asia without spoilage. Certification, through which to align our production with GlobalGAP and other international standards, to enter the EU and Middle Eastern supermarket chains. Or marketing that will help to move beyond being the “Empire’s Garden” to being recognised as a premium global supplier.

The progress seen in the last year is not an endpoint, but a proof of concept. It confirms that while the Russian market will remain a vital partner due to proximity and history, Azerbaijan is no longer a “one-destination” exporter. By leveraging our unique climate and increasing our presence in markets like Turkiye and Syria, we are transforming our agricultural heritage into a modern, resilient, and truly global success story.

Escalating tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz once again demonstrate how deeply global energy security remains tied to geopolitics. Despite rapid progress in renewable technologies and electrification in many countries, oil and gas continue to serve not only as energy sources but also as strategic tools capable of shaping international power dynamics.

The current crisis illustrates a broader question increasingly discussed among analysts – if alternative energy systems were more widely deployed, would strategic chokepoints such as Hormuz still carry the same geopolitical leverage?

Amid rising tensions with Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump urged several major economies, including China, France, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom, to deploy warships to help secure the strategic maritime passage. Trump argued that Iran’s military capabilities had already been severely degraded but warned that the country could still threaten shipping in the waterway through asymmetric tactics. In a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated that Iran could still ‘send a drone or two, drop a mine, or deliver a close-range missile somewhere along, or in, this waterway.’

He called on affected nations to participate in securing the route: ‘Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others that are affected by this artificial constraint will send ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat,’ Trump wrote.

The U.S. president added that Washington would continue military operations along Iran’s coastline and support international partners participating in the mission, declaring that the United States would ensure the strait becomes ‘open, safe and free.’

The strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz explains the urgency of these calls. Roughly one-fifth of global oil supply and a significant share of liquefied natural gas shipments pass through the narrow corridor each day, making it one of the most critical energy chokepoints in the world.

China’s energy transition may reduce energy vulnerability

While the crisis has triggered concerns across energy-importing economies, analysts note that China may be somewhat better positioned than during previous geopolitical shocks. Over the past decade, Beijing has pursued a deliberate strategy to reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels by accelerating electrification and expanding renewable energy capacity. Reflecting this cautious approach, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China have called for de-escalation, stressing that all parties share responsibility for maintaining stable global energy supplies.

At the same time, China’s position as the world’s largest crude oil importer has created a complex web of energy dependencies. The country imports roughly 10-11 million barrels of crude oil per day, with around 65 percent coming from the Middle East, making maritime transport routes a critical component of its energy security.

The Strait of Hormuz represents the most significant vulnerability in this supply chain. An estimated 4-5 million barrels of crude oil destined for Chinese refineries pass through the waterway each day, accounting for the vast majority of China’s seaborne oil imports. Any disruption to shipping in the strait would therefore create immediate logistical and financial challenges.

Rerouting tankers through longer Indian Ocean routes would significantly increase transport times and costs, potentially adding 10-14 days to delivery schedules and raising shipping expenses by $1.50-3 per barrel. Such delays could place additional pressure on supply chains and energy markets during periods of geopolitical instability.

To mitigate these risks, China has built one of the world’s largest strategic petroleum reserve systems. Analysts estimate that the country holds around 900-950 million barrels of crude oil in government and commercial storage facilities, providing roughly two months of import coverage. Combined with the large volumes of oil constantly in transit to Chinese ports, these reserves provide a buffer that could help the country absorb short-term disruptions in global supply routes.

According to the International Energy Agency, China’s demand for gasoline and diesel has already begun to decline despite continued economic growth, while total crude oil demand has largely plateaued. One of the most striking developments is the rapid expansion of electric mobility. More than half of all new cars sold in China last year were electric, reflecting the country’s aggressive push toward electrification.

At the same time, China has become the world’s largest installer of solar and wind power, adding more renewable capacity annually than the rest of the world combined. This transformation has steadily increased the share of electricity generated from non-fossil sources. As a result, Beijing is gradually shifting its economic structure toward an electricity-based energy system, which analysts say could reduce exposure to disruptions in maritime oil transport routes.

However, China’s energy security strategy goes beyond renewables alone. Beijing has also invested heavily in strategic oil stockpiles, domestic coal production and flexible power infrastructure capable of responding to supply shocks. Many Chinese coal plants have been retrofitted to operate more flexibly, allowing them to ramp production up or down in response to fluctuations in power demand. This provides a fallback option if imported fuels become scarce.

China can also convert coal into liquid fuels and industrial feedstocks, partially replacing oil or gas in certain sectors. While this provides energy resilience, it could also lead to higher greenhouse gas emissions, complicating the country’s climate goals. The Chinese government has pledged to reduce carbon intensity by 17 percent by 2030, although recent energy security concerns have slightly moderated the pace of planned reductions.

Ultimately, the Hormuz crisis highlights a deeper structural transformation underway in global energy systems. While oil remains a powerful geopolitical instrument, the rapid expansion of renewable energy, electrification and energy storage technologies is gradually altering the strategic landscape.

All of this underscores the growing importance of energy diversification and technological transformation. Countries that diversify their energy sources and reduce reliance on imported hydrocarbons may become less vulnerable to disruptions at maritime chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz.

As renewable technologies continue to expand globally, the ability of energy resources to serve as a geopolitical lever may gradually diminish, although the current crisis suggests that this transition is not yet complete.