If the Treaty of Gulistan Did Not Exist, Azerbaijan Would Be Part of Iran: Iranian Officials to Aliyev

Iranian lawmaker Seyed Alborz Hoseyni reminded the President of Azerbaijan that the Republic of Azerbaijan was established by separating from Iran through the Treaty of Gulistan. He stated, 'The President of Azerbaijan has made statements about Turkic-populated areas. I suggest he read the Treaty of Gulistan to understand which area was separated from which. Such statements regarding the territorial integrity of neighboring states are unbecoming of the President of Azerbaijan,' Hoseyni remarked, as reported by Tehran Times.

His comments were in response to Aliyev's controversial statements made during the 9th summit of the Organization of Turkic States, where he claimed that the Turkic world consists not only of independent Turkic countries, but that its geographical boundaries are much broader.

'I believe it is time to focus on issues such as preventing the assimilation of our compatriots living outside the borders of Turkic organization member states, and protecting their rights, security, and national identity,' said the President of Azerbaijan. In response, Hoseyni criticized Aliyev’s statements as unrealistic, adding that if the Treaty of Gulistan did not exist, Azerbaijan would be part of Iran. He also called on Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Majlis to respond to these statements.