Azerbaijan Bans Iranian Media After Iran Labels AzTV Hostile

The Media Development Agency of Azerbaijan declared the activities of Iran's Sahar TV channel and Mehr News Agency illegal within Azerbaijan. This action follows a decision by the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence to designate Azerbaijan's state television channel, AzTV, and several other foreign media outlets as hostile media organizations. Iran further introduced criminal liability for individuals who cooperate with these designated entities.

Azerbaijani authorities justified the bans by invoking the principle of reciprocity under Article 11.4 of the Law on Media. The agency stated that the Iranian outlets acted against national interests and engaged in propaganda targeting Azerbaijan's sovereignty, constitutional order, territorial integrity, and national security. Azerbaijan has called on all journalists and media entities within the country to cease cooperation with the two Iranian organizations.