Azerbaijan bans Iranian media after Iran lists AzTV as hostile outlet

Azerbaijan's Media Development Agency (MEDIA) announced on July 27 that Iran's Ministry of Intelligence has designated the country's state television channel AzTV as a hostile media organization. In response, MEDIA declared the activities of Iranian media outlets Sahar TV and Mehr News Agency illegal within Azerbaijan, citing national law provisions that permit reciprocal measures.

MEDIA stated that the reciprocal action was taken under Article 11.4 of Azerbaijan's Law on Media, which allows the country to impose equivalent restrictions on foreign journalists if another state restricts Azerbaijani journalists. The agency said the Iranian outlets were barred because they "engage in activities contrary to the national interests of the Republic of Azerbaijan and in propaganda against the country's sovereignty, constitutional order, territorial integrity, and national security."

The agency emphasized its commitment to protecting journalists' professional activities while applying the principle of reciprocity. It called on media organizations and journalists operating in Azerbaijan to refrain from cooperating with the two Iranian outlets and their representatives. MEDIA also expressed concern over Iran's reported threats of criminal prosecution against individuals cooperating with organizations on its hostile media list.

Iran's Ministry of Intelligence has not yet publicly confirmed the designation of AzTV or responded to Azerbaijan's countermeasures. The Iranian media outlets named have also not commented on the Azerbaijani agency's statement. Relations between Baku and Tehran have alternated between periods of cooperation and recurring tensions in recent years.