Belgium has decided to keep its embassy for Iran temporarily based in Baku, citing ongoing uncertainty despite the recently announced ceasefire involving Tehran. Officials say

the situation on the ground remains too unstable to justify a return to Iran’s capital.

The Belgian Foreign Ministry confirmed that its diplomatic mission, relocated to Azerbaijan about a month ago בעקבות rising tensions in the Middle East, will not yet return to Tehran. Like several European nations, Belgium chose to withdraw staff from Iran as regional risks escalated.

Although the ceasefire has raised cautious hopes for de-escalation, Belgian authorities are taking a wait-and-see approach. “The ceasefire remains fragile and uncertain,” a spokesperson said, stressing that no timeline has been set for reopening the embassy in Tehran.

This position contrasts with Spain’s recent move to resume operations in Iran. Madrid announced it would reopen its embassy to help “support and strengthen” diplomatic efforts and peace negotiations in the region.

Belgium, however, is prioritizing security above all else. Officials say they are closely monitoring developments and coordinating with European partners before making any decisions. “The safety of our staff and citizens remains our absolute priority,” the ministry emphasized.

Iran–Azerbaijan dimension

The choice of Baku as a temporary diplomatic hub also reflects Azerbaijan’s growing strategic relevance in the region. Iran and Azerbaijan share a complex relationship shaped by geography, energy interests, and ethnic ties—millions of ethnic Azeris live in northern Iran.

While the two countries cooperate economically, particularly in energy transit and trade corridors, tensions have periodically flared over security concerns, military activity near their shared border, and Azerbaijan’s close ties with Israel. Despite these strains, Baku has positioned itself as a relatively stable and accessible location for foreign diplomatic missions operating in relation to Iran.

For Belgium and others, Azerbaijan offers both proximity to Iran and a safer operational environment during periods of regional volatility.

As the ceasefire’s durability remains in question, Brussels appears unwilling to take risks, signaling that a return to Tehran will depend on clear and sustained improvements in security conditions. Photo by Okinawa, Wikimedia commons.