Azerbaijan Moves to Defuse Tensions With Iran After Drone Strikes

Diplomatic engagement has replaced aggressive rhetoric, as Azerbaijan strives to keep tensions with neighboring Iran from boiling over again. In the immediate aftermath of Iranian drone strikes in the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan on March 5, officials in Baku adopted a bellicose stance, warning that further acts of aggression against Azerbaijan would result in “Iron Fist” retaliation. They also demanded that those responsible for the drone strikes be held accountable. Over the last 10 days or so, however, Baku’s tone has…