Category: Azer News

On March 10, Transitional President of the Syrian Arab Republic Ahmed Al-Sharaa made a phone call to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

During the phone conversation, they expressed concern over the tensions in the Middle East region, and emphasized the need to prevent steps that could negatively affect the security and stability of regional states.

During the phone call, both leaders touched upon bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Syria, noting that both sides are interested in strengthening relations and expanding cooperation in various fields. They agreed to continue contacts.

The Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Indonesia, in collaboration with OIC Youth Indonesia and the Community Da’wah Institution (LDK) of the Muhammadiyah Central Board, the religious-spiritual movement with the most numerous supporters in Southeast Asia, organized a Ramadan Iftar Gathering to strengthen friendship and reinforce the values of tolerance and harmony in the Islamic world, AzerNEWS reports.

The event, themed ‘Strengthening Connectivity and Values-Based Smart Power for Tolerance and Harmony in the Islamic World,’ was held at the Muhammadiyah Central Board Hall in Jakarta.

The gathering was attended by H.E. Ramil Rzayev, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Indonesia; Astrid Nadya Rizqita, President of OIC Youth Indonesia; Muchamad Arifin, S.Ag., M.Ag., Chairman of LDK PP Muhammadiyah; and Beni Pramula, Member of the Board of Advisors of OIC Youth Indonesia.

Also present were several distinguished figures from the diplomatic and academic community, including Prof. Husnan Bey Fanani, former Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Azerbaijan (2016-2020), and Bunyan Saptomo, former Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Bulgaria and Albania.

In her remarks, Astrid Nadya Rizqita, President of OIC Youth Indonesia, emphasized that Ramadan is not merely a month of fasting, but also a moment for reflection and strengthening shared values of harmony and solidarity.

‘Ramadan is often understood simply as the month of fasting. Yet in essence, Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an – a time for clarity, realignment, and reflection. Fasting is not merely abstaining from food and drink, but a discipline that helps us refocus on what truly matters in life,’ she said.

She also highlighted that the theme of the gathering reflects the belief that harmony in the Islamic world must be continuously nurtured through interaction and cooperation across communities.

‘The theme of this gathering reflects our belief that harmony is not something we automatically possess, but something we must consciously strengthen and sustain together,’ she added.

Meanwhile, Muchamad Arifin, Chairman of LDK PP Muhammadiyah, explained that the institution focuses on strengthening community-based da’wah initiatives that reach various segments of society, including remote areas.

‘Muhammadiyah’s da’wah is not limited to the pulpit. We strive to be present directly among communities, including conducting outreach missions to remote regions,’ he said.

He added that forums such as this Ramadan Iftar gathering provide an important space for strengthening relationships and building connections among communities.

‘This gathering becomes a platform for people to get to know one another and to strengthen networks of togetherness,’ he noted.

Arifin also highlighted Muhammadiyah’s contribution in the field of education across Indonesia, including in eastern regions such as Papua and East Nusa Tenggara.

‘Muhammadiyah universities have been established in Sorong, Papua, as well as in East Nusa Tenggara. Many Muhammadiyah schools in these areas even have a majority of non-Muslim students, around 85 percent. This demonstrates that Muhammadiyah education is open and inclusive to all communities,’ he explained.

On the same occasion, Beni Pramula, Board of Advisor of OIC Youth Indonesia, emphasized that the gathering also contributes to strengthening relations among member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

‘Forums like this are not merely about breaking the fast together, but also about strengthening friendships and enhancing cooperation among OIC member states, including between Indonesia and Azerbaijan,’ he stated.

According to him, young people play an essential role as bridges connecting societies across countries while sustaining diplomatic relations for the future.

Within the context of Indonesia-Azerbaijan relations, there are also historical narratives reflecting the longstanding interconnectedness of the Muslim world. Several academic discussions, including those explored by Azerbaijani researcher Zaur Aliyev, present the hypothesis that Maulana Malik Ibrahim, one of the Wali Songo figures known as Sunan Gresik, may have historical links to the Caucasus region, including present-day Azerbaijan.

Such narratives serve as reminders that connections among Muslim societies have existed for centuries through networks of trade, da’wah, and cultural exchange.

Looking ahead, Azerbaijan will host the Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in 2026, bringing together heads of state from OIC member countries.

In addition, Azerbaijan has long played an important role within the OIC ecosystem, particularly in promoting youth participation and diplomacy. The country hosted the First General Assembly of the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) and continues to actively support various OIC regional institutions.

This role reflects Azerbaijan’s strong confidence in youth as a key driver of sustainable development and cooperation among OIC member states.

Through this Ramadan Iftar Gathering, participants also discussed the importance of strengthening connectivity among Muslim youth across countries, as well as the role of civil society organizations in advancing values-based diplomacy.

The event is expected to further strengthen collaboration between youth communities, da’wah institutions, and international partners in promoting peace, tolerance, and harmony across the Islamic world.

The latest military confrontation in the Middle East has once again demonstrated how fragile the global energy market can be. Within a matter of hours, geopolitical tensions pushed oil prices to the psychological threshold of $120 per barrel. Azerbaijan’s benchmark crude, Azeri Light, climbed as high as $125 on global markets. Yet the surge proved short-lived: following remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, prices retreated sharply and fell below $90.

Even so, the volatility of the past days should not obscure the larger picture. While Trump’s statements may have temporarily cooled the market, the underlying tensions remain unresolved. As long as the conflict persists, renewed spikes in energy prices probably will increase. Because the surge observed this week was not driven by traditional economic fundamentals such as supply shortages or rising demand. Rather, it reflected the market’s instinctive reaction to geopolitical risk. Investors, traders, and governments alike rushed to price in the possibility that the conflict could disrupt oil supplies in one of the world’s most strategically important energy regions.

Rising oil prices rarely produce uniform outcomes. Instead, they generate a complex web of economic and geopolitical consequences that can simultaneously benefit some countries while harming others.

For the global economy, the most immediate risk is a renewed surge in inflation. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation became one of the most pressing economic challenges for governments worldwide. Although price pressures began to ease in subsequent years, the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war prevented inflation from declining as quickly as policymakers had hoped. By early 2025, there were cautious signs of improvement. Many central banks believed that the worst of the inflationary wave had passed, and discussions about monetary easing had begun.

Indeed, several countries had already started lowering interest rates. The United States, the eurozone, and even smaller economies such as Azerbaijan initiated modest rate cuts in anticipation of a gradual stabilization in global prices. Many widely expected this process to continue throughout 2025 and into 2026, allowing economies to recover from years of tight monetary policy.

However, the confrontation in the Middle East threatens to derail these expectations. Higher oil and gas prices inevitably feed into transportation costs, electricity prices, and ultimately the cost of everyday goods. If energy prices remain elevated, central banks may be forced to postpone further rate cuts. In a more pessimistic scenario, persistently high inflation could even push policymakers to raise interest rates again. Such a reversal would undermine fragile economic recoveries and increase borrowing costs for governments, businesses, and households alike.

Europe faces an especially complicated situation. Since 2022, the continent has already been grappling with the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine. Western governments responded to Russia’s invasion with extensive financial, technological, and military support for Kyiv while imposing sweeping sanctions on Moscow. These measures did weaken parts of the Russian economy, yet they did not deliver a decisive economic blow. Russia managed to cushion the impact of sanctions largely through the export of commodities such as oil and gold, which provided a crucial lifeline to its budget.

In response, Europe attempted to reduce its dependence on Russian energy. The European Union gradually eliminated most imports of Russian gas, while Western governments also sought to restrict buyers of Russian oil. Countries that continued purchasing Russian crude, including India, faced increasing diplomatic pressure and the threat of sanctions.

Until recently, many analysts believed that global oil prices would decline further in 2026. Azerbaijan, for instance, had estimated the average price of oil at around $70-72 per barrel last year and projected a price of approximately $65 per barrel for 2026. These expectations were based on two key assumptions. First, global inflation appeared to be easing, reducing upward pressure on commodity prices. Second, some analysts believed that Western countries had a strategic interest in keeping oil prices relatively low in order to limit Russia’s revenue and weaken its ability to finance the war in Ukraine.

The eruption of conflict in the Middle East has dramatically altered this outlook. Higher oil prices inevitably benefit energy exporters, and Russia is among the most prominent of them. Even countries that had begun reducing their purchases of Russian oil have started reconsidering their positions. India, for example, has signaled that it may continue buying Russian crude despite earlier indications that it might scale back under Western pressure.

In this context, rising oil prices could provide Russia with additional financial resources, allowing Moscow to sustain its military operations in Ukraine for a longer period. Moreover, Russia’s status as one of the world’s largest exporters of gold further strengthens its financial resilience. High commodity prices create additional streams of revenue that can partially offset the impact of Western sanctions.

Another geopolitical risk arises from the shifting priorities of the United States and its allies. If the conflict in the Middle East intensifies, Washington may need to allocate more military resources to the region. Increased shipments of weapons and military equipment to the Middle East could potentially reduce the supply available for Ukraine. Such a development would indirectly strengthen Russia’s position on the battlefield.

For Azerbaijan, the consequences of oil surpassing the $120 threshold are both positive and negative. On the positive side, higher oil prices translate directly into increased export revenues. Azerbaijan’s economy remains heavily dependent on energy exports, and a rise in crude prices can significantly strengthen the country’s financial inflows. Additional revenues may allow the government to expand funding for social programs, infrastructure projects, and economic development initiatives.

Perhaps the most important benefit relates to Azerbaijan’s external trade balance. Over the past three years, the country’s positive trade surplus has been shrinking steadily. Some analysts even predicted that 2026 might mark the first time since the early 2000s that Azerbaijan’s foreign trade balance would fall into deficit. Such a development could have placed pressure on the national currency, the manat. The memory of the 2015 devaluation still lingers in the country’s financial system, and another sharp depreciation could have undermined the fragile recovery that followed the pandemic years.

Higher oil prices, at least temporarily, reduce this risk. Stronger export revenues help stabilize the country’s foreign currency reserves and ease pressure on the manat. In this sense, the recent surge in oil prices provides Azerbaijan with a financial cushion during a period of global uncertainty.

Yet the benefits come with significant drawbacks. Azerbaijan imports a large share of its consumer goods, ranging from food products to industrial equipment. Rising energy prices tend to increase transportation and production costs worldwide, which in turn push up the price of imported goods. In practical terms, this means that Azerbaijan may end up importing not only products but also inflation.

The paradox is clear: the same oil price increase that strengthens Azerbaijan’s export revenues may simultaneously raise the cost of living for its citizens.

The events of the past week serve as a reminder that energy markets remain deeply intertwined with global politics. A single geopolitical shock can upend carefully crafted economic forecasts, forcing governments and central banks to rethink their strategies overnight. Whether oil prices remain elevated will depend largely on the trajectory of the Middle East conflict. But one thing is already clear: the world economy is once again being shaped not only by supply and demand, but by the unpredictable dynamics of geopolitics.

A gala concert dedicated to International Jazz Day will take place at the Heydar Aliyev Palace on April 30 at 20:00, AzerNEWS reports. The event us organized by 33 Event and Show Time.

International Jazz Day is an annual event established by UNESCO and celebrated on April 30 since 2012.

The day aims to highlight jazz as a universal language of peace, fostering unity, intercultural dialogue, and mutual understanding.

The concert promises to be a vibrant celebration of music and cultural exchange, bringing together stars of Azerbaijani and international jazz, as well as young talents.

People’s Artist of Azerbaijan Aziza Mustafazadeh and her son Ramiz-Khan Hajiyev, grandson of the legendary Vagif Mustafazadeh, will travel from Germany especially for the concert. A special guest of the evening will be world-renowned jazz musician Ronald Baker from the United States.

The evening will feature performances by People’s Artist Salman Gambarov, the RAST group led by Honored Artist Rashad Gashimov, Honored Artists Sevda Alakbarzadeh, Emil Afrasiyab and Ruslan Huseynov, as well as Riad Mammadov, Elvin Bashirov, Isa Bagirov and Medina Pashayeva.

A nationwide ceremony will be held in Iran today at 3:00 p.m. local time for citizens to pledge loyalty to the country’s new Supreme Leader, Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, AzerNEWS reports, citing Trend.

According to the Islamic Propagation Coordination Council, events will take place in cities across the country, and all Iranian citizens have been invited to participate.

On March 8, the Assembly of Experts elected Mojtaba Khamenei by majority vote as Iran’s third Supreme Leader. He is the son of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 during military airstrikes carried out by the United States and Israel.

Earlier tensions had escalated after the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17 ended without progress. Following the failed negotiations, the United States increased its military presence near Iran, deploying more than 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East.

On February 26, a third round of negotiations between Iran and the United States on Iran’s nuclear program was held in Geneva. The meeting, which took place during the administration of Donald Trump, was widely viewed as the last opportunity to resolve the crisis through diplomacy.

However, no concrete agreements were reached. Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program.

In the early hours of February 28, Israel and the United States launched military airstrikes on Iran.

During the attacks, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several members of his family were killed. Among other senior officials reportedly killed in the strikes were: Abdolrahim Mousavi, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces; Mohammad Pakpour, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC); Ali Shamkhani, adviser to the Supreme Leader and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council; Aziz Nasirzadeh, Iran’s Minister of Defense.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, AzerNEWS reports.

‘Your Eminence Ayatollah Khamenei,

I congratulate you on your appointment as the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Once again, I extend my condolences to you on the tragic passing of your father, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran stem from the will of our peoples, who have historically lived in an atmosphere of good-neighborliness and friendship. I hope that together we will make further efforts to develop interstate relations in a spirit of mutual respect and trust, in accordance with the interests of our peoples.

Once again, I convey my congratulations on your appointment to this high position and wish the friendly and brotherly people of Iran peace and security.

Respectfully,

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 9 March 2026 ,” the letter reads.

On March 8, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian made a phone call to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed his gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for his visit to the Iranian Embassy in Azerbaijan to offer condolences over the passing of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, and numerous civilians, as well as for his intention to provide humanitarian aid to Iran.

Noting that the incident involving airstrike on Nakhchivan had no connection with Iran, President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized that the incident would be investigated.

President Ilham Aliyev once again expressed his condolences over the death of numerous civilians in the recent events in Iran.

The Azerbaijani President underlined the importance of investigating the incident that occurred in Nakhchivan.

During the telephone conversation, the heads of state exchanged views on the development prospects of joint economic projects.

The evacuation of Azerbaijani citizens and nationals of other countries from Iran continues amid escalating regional tensions.

AzerNEWS reports that a total of 1,918 people from various countries were evacuated from Iran between 08:00 on February 28 and 07:00 on March 9.

The evacuees include 541 citizens of China, 314 from Azerbaijan, 290 from Russia, 173 from Tajikistan, 123 from Pakistan, 57 from Oman, 44 from Italy, 32 from Indonesia, 26 each from Spain and Iran, 18 from Saudi Arabia, 17 from Japan, 16 from France, 14 from Germany, 13 each from Georgia and Hungary, 12 from Uzbekistan, and 10 each from Bulgaria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nigeria.

In addition, eight citizens each from Brazil, the United Kingdom, and Kazakhstan were evacuated, along with seven citizens of Belarus.

The list also includes six citizens each from Slovakia, the United Arab Emirates, Belgium, and Canada. Five citizens each from Afghanistan, Serbia, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Romania, and Austria were evacuated, while four citizens each from Jordan, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, Trkiye, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Bangladesh were also included.

Three citizens each from the Philippines, Qatar, Mexico, Finland, and Croatia were evacuated. Two citizens each from Nepal, Lebanon, Yemen, Kyrgyzstan, Sudan, India, Cyprus, Slovenia, and Sweden were also among those evacuated.

Additionally, one citizen each from Poland, Australia, Tunisia, South Africa, the Maldives, Myanmar, Cuba, the Vatican, Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Latvia, Egypt, and the United States was evacuated.

Meanwhile, on March 8, Iran’s Assembly of Experts elected Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, as Iran’s third Supreme Leader by a majority vote. The previous leader was killed in U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on February 28.

Earlier developments had heightened tensions in the region. After the second round of nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran on February 17 ended without progress, the United States significantly increased its military presence near Iran, deploying more than 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East.

A third round of talks on Iran’s nuclear program took place in Geneva on February 26. The meeting, held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, had been seen as a final opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no concrete agreements were reached. Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on the development of its nuclear program.

In the early hours of February 28, Israel and the United States launched large-scale airstrikes against Iran.

The attacks reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei along with several members of his family.

Among those also killed in the strikes were Iran’s Chief of the General Staff Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Mohammad Pakpour, senior adviser to the Supreme Leader and Secretary of Iran’s Defense Council Ali Shamkhani, and Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the United States asked his government for help in defending US bases in Jordan from Iranian strikes. He said that a team of Ukrainian drone experts, as well as interceptor drones, were sent to Jordan on Friday, AzerNEWS reports.

Zelensky told the New York Times that some countries in the Middle East have “very strong relations with Russia” and that they could persuade Moscow to agree to a ceasefire if Ukraine assists them.

He added that another team of experts will also travel to the region to “help nations evaluate how they could protect themselves from Iranian drones” after Ukraine received calls from Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Iran’s military and political leaders have pledged allegiance to Mojtaba Khamenei, who has been named to his killed father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the country’s ?new supreme ?leader.

The US and Israel continue to bombard Iran, with explosions reported in Qom and Tehran, hours after Israeli attacks on oil facilities caused toxic smoke across the Iranian capital.

?Oil prices have jumped more than 25 percent, to their highest levels since mid-2022, as some major producers slash supplies and fears of prolonged shipping disruptions grip the market due to the expanding war.

An eighth US soldier has been confirmed killed a day after US President Donald Trump paid tributes at a ceremony honouring soldiers who died in the conflict.

Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) will resume direct flights between Baku and Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic starting March 9, AzerNEWS reports, citing the company.

The airline confirmed the development to local media, noting that flights on the Baku-Nakhchivan-Baku route will operate according to the following schedule on March 9, 2026:

Flight Departure from Baku Departure from Nakhchivan

J2 2251 / 2252 18:00 20:00

J2 2253 / 2254 19:00 21:00

J2 2255 / 2256 20:00 22:00

J2 2257 / 2258 21:00 23:00

Starting March 10, 2026, flights on the Baku-Nakhchivan route will continue to operate in normal mode, following the airline’s standard schedule.

AZAL said it continues to closely monitor the current situation and is taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of its flights. Passengers will be promptly informed of any changes to the flight schedule.