Azerbaijan Appoints First Ever Ambassador to Israel amid Iran Row 

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev listens during a joint press conference whit his Serbian counterpart at the Palace of Serbia in Belgrade on November 23, 2022. (AFP)
Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev listens during a joint press conference whit his Serbian counterpart at the Palace of Serbia in Belgrade on November 23, 2022. (AFP)
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Azerbaijan Appoints First Ever Ambassador to Israel amid Iran Row 

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev listens during a joint press conference whit his Serbian counterpart at the Palace of Serbia in Belgrade on November 23, 2022. (AFP)
Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev listens during a joint press conference whit his Serbian counterpart at the Palace of Serbia in Belgrade on November 23, 2022. (AFP)

Azerbaijan appointed its first ever ambassador to Israel on Wednesday amid escalating tensions with its large southern neighbor Iran. 

President Ilham Aliyev signed a presidential decree appointing Mukhtar Mammadov, a veteran official who has held posts in the foreign and education ministries, as Baku's first envoy to Israel after 30 years of bilateral relations. 

Israel has had an embassy in Baku since the early 1990s and has been a significant military backer of Azerbaijan in recent years, including diplomatic support for Baku in its standoff with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. 

Azerbaijan also supplies around 40% of Israel's oil imports and both Aliyev and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have hailed strong relations between their countries. 

Amid escalating tensions between Azerbaijan and Iran over Baku's close relations with Israel, the Azeri parliament last November passed a law paving the way for the country to open its first embassy in Israel. 

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian last year accused Israel of establishing a military presence and secret alliance with Azerbaijan. 

Baku rejected the claims, but Iran mounted large-scale military exercises along the border with Azerbaijan and Aliyev responded by posing for photographs with Israeli kamikaze drones, which are manufactured in Azerbaijan. 

Azerbaijan's embassy will be located in Tel Aviv, where the majority of foreign delegations are. 



International Reaction to Trump’s Inauguration

 US President Donald Trump speaks after being sworn in as the 47th President in the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. (AFP)
US President Donald Trump speaks after being sworn in as the 47th President in the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. (AFP)
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International Reaction to Trump’s Inauguration

 US President Donald Trump speaks after being sworn in as the 47th President in the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. (AFP)
US President Donald Trump speaks after being sworn in as the 47th President in the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. (AFP)

The following is reaction from global leaders to Donald Trump being sworn in as US president on Monday.

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT
"President Trump is always decisive, and the peace through strength policy he announced provides an opportunity to strengthen American leadership and achieve a long-term and just peace, which is the top priority."

RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, PRESIDENT OF TÜRKIYE

"Since Mr. Trump repeatedly said he would end the Russia-Ukraine war, we as Türkiye will do whatever necessary in this regard. We need to resolve this issue as soon as possible. This issue will be on our agenda with our talks with Mr. Trump, and we would take our steps accordingly. I wish Mr. Trump's second term would bring good for all humanity."

JUSTIN TRUDEAU, CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER

"Congratulations, President Trump. Canada and the US have the world’s most successful economic partnership. We have the chance to work together again — to create more jobs and prosperity for both our nations."

KEIR STARMER, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER

"For centuries, the relationship between our two nations has been one of collaboration, cooperation and enduring partnership ... Together, we have defended the world from tyranny and worked towards our mutual security and prosperity."

"With President Trump's longstanding affection and historical ties to the United Kingdom, I know that depth of friendship will continue."

URSULA VON DER LEYEN, EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT

"Best wishes President @realDonaldTrump, for your tenure as 47th President of the United States. The EU looks forward to working closely with you to tackle global challenges. Together, our societies can achieve greater prosperity and strengthen their common security. This is the enduring strength of the transatlantic partnership."

MARK RUTTE, NATO SECRETARY GENERAL

"With President Trump back in office we will turbo-charge defense spending & production. My warm congratulations to @realDonaldTrump on his inauguration as 47th President of the USA, and to @JDVance as Vice President. Together we can achieve peace through strength - through @NATO."

CHARLES, BRITAIN’S KING:

The King has sent a personal message of congratulations to President Trump on his inauguration, reflecting on the enduring special relationship between the UK and US, according to Buckingham Palace.