Iranian warship menaces Azeri research vessel

The conflict in the Caspian Sea follows major agreements achieved by Iranian national security chief in Baku

An incident that could have ended up with an armed conflict broke out on the Azeri-Iranian maritime border on July 23. In this connection, Iranian ambassador to Azerbaijan Ahad Gazai was invited by Azeri Prime Minister on the following day and handed an official protest note of the Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry. On July 23, starting from 1.42 p.m., an Iranian air force fighter was circling around Azeri research vessels "Geophysical-3" and "Alif Hajiyev" for two hours. The two vessels are engaged in exploration operations on an offshore prospect Alov 150km southeast of Baku.

The standoff occurred shortly after Baku and Tehran had achieved understanding on many issues the two nations were divided on earlier, including bilateral relations and regional security. The recent visit by Iranian national security chief to Baku left a beam of hope that bilateral relations will finally start thawing after a 5-year strain.

The Foreign Ministry note says that later on the same day, at 8.10 p.m., "Geophysical-3" was approached by an Iranian warship, as Iranian navy officers demanded, in an ultimatum-like fashion, that the vessels leave the zone at least 5 miles northwards. In response, the Azeri vessel's captain said he had full authority and documentary evidence for legitimacy of the ongoing operations. A representative of BP, lessee of the ship, tried to explain the same, but Iranian frontier guards replied that there was no one speaking English on board.

"… The Azerbaijan government is voicing its vehement protest to the actions by Iranian military in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian and demands to put an end to such occasions as they threaten to undermine the relations of friendship between the two countries. Azerbaijan expects a soonest explanation of the incident on part of Iranian authorities", the protest note says.

Also on July 23, the Azerbaijan government released an "Official message of protest". The document expresses Baku's indignation over the fact that an Iranian warship was threatening an Azeri research vessel with the use of force. The Iranian captain stated that he had been instructed by his country's Foreign Ministry and warned that in the event of disobedience he had full authority to use force.

Ambassador Gazai declined to provide any comment, saying only that he would inform his government of the statement.

The meeting of Prime Minister with the Iranian diplomat lasted around one and half hours and, judging by the ambassador's appearance at the time when he was leaving the premier's office, the tone was far from conciliatory. Also in attendance were the SOCAR president Natig Aliyev and vice-president Khoshbakht Yusifzadeh, Foreign Minister Vilayat Guliyev and his deputy Araz Azimov, as well as representatives of BP.

According to the Azerbaijan Constitution, the country's Caspian Sea sector is considered to be the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic, which means that Iran has actually trespassed Azerbaijan's state border.

Cautiously optimistic

Iranian ambassador Ahad Gazai told a news briefing at the Iranian embassy Tuesday that he was handed a protest note of the Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry on Monday, which he translated on the same day and sent to Tehran. The diplomat said he regretted what had happened and expressed a hope that it would not hurt the relations of friendship between the two countries.

He reiterated that the Caspian status problem should not be resolved politically, but through the agreement among all littoral nations.

Asked when Tehran would issue a reciprocal note, the ambassador said it was up to the government to decide.

In response to the question whether the delaying opening of the Azerbaijan consulate office in Tabriz, Iran's friendship with Armenia and the latest incident illustrate the pressure Iran applies on Azerbaijan, Mr. Gazai said he didn't think so.

Asked whether President Aliyev's upcoming official visit to Iran is still on agenda, the diplomat said it was not ruled out.

‘Diplomatic break off’

The Union for Integral Azerbaijan has called for breaking off all diplomatic relations with Iran and closing Iranian embassy in Baku.

The statement following the incident on the Azeri-Iranian border in the Caspian, says Iranian embassy is nothing but a den for spying and terror. Such measures must be introduced until Iran recognizes the ethnic rights of over 30 million Azeris living in Iran and guarantees cooperation with Azerbaijan on the basis of international legal norms, the statement reads.

‘Successful visit’

Monday's incident in the Caspian is the most serious standoff between Baku and Tehran yet and is likely to take a toll on bilateral relations.

The incident takes place shortly after a breakthrough visit to Baku by the head of Iran’s Supreme Security Council Hasan Ruhani, which neared the positions of the parties on many issues, including bilateral relations, solution to the Garabagh conflict, regional security, etc. During the negotiations, President Aliyev encouraged Tehran to step up its effort toward resolving the Garabagh conflict, mentioning that Armenian economy is very much dependent on Iran. He then asked Tehran to give it a second thought.

One of the palpable results of the visit is the fact that President Aliyev has announced that he will pay an official visit to Iran in August.

It is indicative that in a meeting with President Aliyev, Mr. Ruhani as the first to express his disappointment with the current level of bilateral relations, saying that there are extensive opportunities for elevating them to a higher standard. He said Tehran attaches a particular importance to relationship with Baku and is determined to establish a favored regime with Azerbaijan by simplifying the entry and exit procedures and introducing currency exchange.

Corresponding agreements have already been forwarded to the Azerbaijan government and Tehran is hopeful that it won't be long before Baku makes a reciprocal gesture, Mr. Ruhani said.

The Iranian visitor reiterated his country's readiness to do its utmost to broker a peace settlement to the Garabagh conflict. Mr. Ruhani then voiced a hope that Iran and Azerbaijan would continue cooperating within the Organization of Islamic Conference, ECO and other international organizations.

Commenting on media allegations suggestion that Tehran is unhappy with Azerbaijan’s pro-western course, Mr. Ruhani stated that to establish relations with different countries is Azerbaijan’s sovereign right. "It may well be that some of the countries you are establishing relations with are in animosity with us. We cannot oppose your contacts with them, but we would not like such relations to undermine our national security. Similarly, our relations with any country cannot take a toll on your country's security".

H. Aliyev reiterated Azerbaijan’s position over the Caspian status issue that solution to the problem must be sought on a gradual basis and that it is first necessary to agree on the use of mineral resources.

The visit culminated with signing of a memorandum on cooperation between security chiefs of the two countries.

Experts’ opinion

Experts believe Iran is at fault in any case, as until a new treaty is signed the old one, between the USSR and Iran, must be enforced. Under that treaty, the fields are located in the Azerbaijan national sector and by approaching the Azeri vessel Iran has trespassed Azerbaijan’s state border.

On the other hand, if Iran defies the existence of the agreement with USSR, then, as long as a new agreement has not been signed, the international maritime law is applied. Under this international covenant, the fields located outside territorial waters belong to a country which has discovered them. The Araz-Alov-Sharg block was discovered by Azeri oilworkers and is located outside territorial waters.