orstep. Geographically, Azerbaijan's capital and much of its population and energy infrastructure are concentrated in the flatlands just beyond the Talysh mountains and Iran's formidable but not impassable Alborz range. Baku is located less than 200 kilometers from Parsabad in Iran as the crow flies,

d. Baku has for its part accused Iran of supporting radical Shiite elements, including the now outlawed Islamic Party of Azerbaijan, as well as the Talysh ethnic minority EFTA00630308 inhabiting the border areas. Nationalist rhetoric has also sharpened with calls for the country to be rechristened "

d. Baku has for its part accused Iran of supporting radical Shiite elements, including the now outlawed Islamic Party of Azerbaijan, as well as the Talysh ethnic minority inhabiting the border areas. Nationalist rhetoric has also sharpened with calls for the country to be rechristened "North Azerbaij