Analysts point to Azerbaijan's risks amid US-Iran tensions

In the supposed Iran-USA conflict, Azerbaijan should maintain neutrality and beware of involvement in the confrontation, Baku analysts believe. At the same time, the assassination of the Iranian General Qasem Soleimani has caused Azerbaijanis' controversial reaction.

"The Soleimani's murder will lead to increased tension between the USA and Israel, on the one hand, and Iran, on the other. Naturally, the parties will try to use Azerbaijani capacities in this confrontation," Tofig Zulfugarov, a former Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to Sulkhaddin Akper, a security expert and a former Azerbaijani First Deputy Minister for National Security, it cannot be ruled out that Iran may decide to strike on US presence in neighbouring countries, including Azerbaijan.

Ali Kerimli, the leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), hopes that Tehran and Washington will try to avoid a big war, which "is in the interests of Azerbaijan too."

Some users of the Azerbaijani segment of the Internet mourn over Soleimani's death. Videos about him, mourning chants and condolence posts are spread on the Facebook and WhatsApp.

However, some users, on the contrary, condemn the grief of Azerbaijanis over the death of Soleimani.

Richard Kauzlarich, a former US Ambassador to Azerbaijan, believes that it will be very difficult for Baku to maintain neutrality should the conflict escalate.

Paul Stronski, an American analyst on the Caucasus, believes that "Azerbaijan should behave quietly."