Since July 12, border clashes between the Azerbaijani and Armenian armies have resulted in at least 11 Azerbaijani fatalities, including high-ranking officers. The conflict's new front is Tavush, far from the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, raising questions about the Armenian side's motives given their military and economic position. The article explores the geopolitical significance of Tavush, particularly regarding energy transit routes to Europe, and the potential for Armenia to disrupt Azerbaijan's economic stability. It also examines the roles of Russia, Turkey, the USA, Iran, the UAE, and France in the conflict, suggesting that the crisis is not merely a regional issue but a proxy battleground for these major players, each with their strategic interests in the Caucasus.

Over 380 years ago, the borders between Iran and the Ottoman Empire were established through a treaty between Murad IV and Shah Safi after years of conflict, a demarcation that, unlike Iran's northern and eastern borders, has remained largely unchanged for four centuries. The Treaty of Zuhab for the Iranian side, also known as the Treaty of Qasr-e Shirin by the opposing party, ended about 120 years of continuous war between Iran and the Ottoman Empire. The treaty solidified a 2,185-kilometer border between the two states, ensuring that no major wars would occur thereafter. The article examines the historical events leading to this significant treaty and the geopolitical dynamics between the Safavid and Ottoman states, including the influence of religious discourse and power relations in Azerbaijan and Anatolia during the 15th century.