(MENAFN- AzerNews)
Rena Murshud read more The concept of the conflict in the South Caucasus does not end
only with Armenia. There are also certain parties that play the
role of a catalyst in this conflict, one of which is Iran. The
Persian or Mullah regime, which imposed itself as a Muslim state on
Azerbaijan and other Islamic countries for centuries, has always
been known for its cunning policy. It is no coincidence that Iran,
which called Armenia an infidel, which occupied the territories of
Azerbaijan since the 90s, became its closest ally, first in the
background, and then overtly.
Iran-Armenia "sisterhood" began to be more tangible after the
Second Garabagh war. Azerbaijan's restoration of territorial
integrity and the subsequent change in geostrategic positions,
especially regarding Zangazur, began to be much of Iran's
consternation.
A few days ago, Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan's announcement about
the opening of the airport located in the Gafan area, only 105m
from the border of Azerbaijan, was revealed as a joint plan of Iran
and Armenia. Unable to put pressure on Azerbaijan directly, Iran is
currently trying to do so through Armenia.
Ata Shahit, a political analyst of the South Azerbaijan based
Tabriz Research Institute - a think tank, who spoke in more detail
about the issue, noted in his comment to AZERNEWS that Iran has always supported Armenia closely in any "projects" to
the detriment of Azerbaijan. Since Iran has a positive attitude
towards political projects that will strengthen Armenia mainly in
transit issues, it is precisely the opening of the Gafan airport
that it considers favorable from the point of view.
A. Shahit also linked Iran's obstruction to the opening of the
Zangazur Corridor with an ideological approach on the one hand, and
a pragmatic approach on the other, i.e. regional interests of the
regime in Tehran.
"Iran opposes the Zangazur Corridor project, especially
considering the regional geopolitical change as against its
interests. Because the opening of the Zangazur Corridor for Iran
means the opening of Azerbaijan and Turkiye to Central Asia and the
increase of the power of both states. In addition, Iran believes
that the opening of the Zangazur Corridor will reduce the
dependence of Turkiye and Azerbaijan on it, and it will become the
most important segment through the corridor between the West and
the East," the expert said.
As another factor, Ata Shahit emphasized the strengthening of
Azerbaijan after the Patriotic War and its continuous and stable
cooperation with Turkiye, as well as the collapse of its current
political goals as a result of the suppression of Iran from the
South Caucasus region. For this reason, Iran definitely does not
want the opening of the corridor.
Further, the expert noted that Armenian-Iranian relations are
considered traditional allies in the context of general
politics.
"After 1991, we saw this more clearly in the Azerbaijan-Armenia
conflict. Iran-Armenia friendship has been established
strategically for a long time and is still ongoing," the expert
added.
In conclusion, Ata Shahit spoke about other important
alternative routes for Armenia and Iran aganist the Zangazur
corridor.
"According to the Iranian media, the North-South transit
corridor, which starts from the Indian Ocean and connects to the
Iranian port of Chabahar, and from there to the Central Asian port,
and also passes through Armenia, is considered an alternative route
of Iran, which opposes the Zangezur Corridor project. In this
regard, Iran wants to launch this transit route against the
countries of Turkiye and Azerbaijan, which will become stronger
thanks to the opening of the Zangazur corridor. Undoubtedly, Iran
will fully support Armenia in this area as well, without sparing
anything it can,"A. Shahit noted.