At the UNPO, Iranian Azerbaijan was previously represented by Southern Azerbaijan National Awakening Movement.[5]
While Ilham Aliyev has attempted to dismiss claims that his government is taking any anti-Iranian ethnic nationalist positions, the Iranian government and groups like Iranian nationalist circles, especially Iranian Azerbaijanis, are dubious about the intentions of the Azerbaijani government due to the ongoing actions of irredentist elements like the Southern Azerbaijan National Awakening Movement and the support that they receive from Azerbaijani authorities, both state and non-state.[6]
Ahmadi, Hamid (2016). "The Clash of Nationalisms: Iranian Response to Baku's Irredentism". In Kamrava, Mehran (ed.). The Great Game in West Asia: Iran, Turkey and the South Caucasus. Oxford University Press. pp. 102–140. ISBN978-0190673604.