Southern Azerbaijan National Awakening Movement
The Southern Azerbaijan National Awakening Movement is a Baku-based group that advocates self-determination for Iranian Azerbaijanis, and the "unification of Azerbaijanis living on both sides of the Aras River".
Foundation and mission
It was separated from and founded in 2002 by Mahmudali Chehregani, and claims to represent the interests of Iran's Azerbaijani minority.At the UNPO, Iranian Azerbaijan was previously represented by Southern Azerbaijan National Awakening Movement.
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.