Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev sent an official message to his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, expressing condolences over the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The message, published on the head of state's website, called the death of Iran's spiritual and political leader a grave loss.
"Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei played an important role in the life of the Iranian state and society for many years and occupied a special place in the political and religious life of his country. His passing is a huge loss for Iran," the message read.
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched a joint air campaign against Iran amid negotiations between Washington and Tehran over a nuclear deal.
Israeli aircraft bombed a building where Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was reportedly holding a meeting with the country's military leaders. The attack killed the ayatollah and everyone with him.
In response to the assassination of the Iranian leader, according to the Iranian news agency Tasnim, Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi declared a holy war (jihad) against the United States and Israel, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared the attack tantamount to a declaration of war on the entire Muslim world.
Iran launched Operation True Promise 4, striking Israel, as well as Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, where American military facilities are located.
Against this backdrop, Baku's position takes on additional political significance. Azerbaijan remains the only country in the post-Soviet space with a nearly 100% Muslim population that has built stable and friendly relations with Israel, Iran's main regional adversary. During the active phase of the 2024–2025 Palestinian-Israeli conflict, social media users in several Muslim countries criticized the Azerbaijani authorities for continuing oil supplies to Israel, accusing Baku of ignoring religious solidarity with the Palestinians.
Thus, the condolences expressed to Tehran were made amid the complex geopolitical balance that Azerbaijan is forced to maintain between its strategic partnership with Israel and its proximity to Iran.
