(MENAFN- AzerNews)
![Iran Should Not Confuse S Caucasus With Middle East Image](https://menafn.com/updates/pr/2024-06/29/A_616de6d4-f_Image_In_Body.jpg)
Fatime Letifova
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Ongoing peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia could thwart
the ambitions and hegemonic desires of many powers in the South
Caucasus. It's worth noting that the longstanding Garabagh conflict
between Baku and Yerevan has drawn the attention of numerous
countries to the region. Alongside the West, Iran, which neighbors
Azerbaijan and Armenia, has also been somewhat emboldened by this
conflict.
Iran's proximity to Armenia, its controversial policies, and its
silence over massacres in Azerbaijani territories over the past 30
years are regrettable. During the resumption of the
Israel-Palestine war, Iran was among the Muslim countries that
initiated protests against Israel. Interestingly, the Islamic
Republic of Iran did not mention the existence of mosques converted
by Armenians into cowsheds and pigsty, where Muslim Azerbaijanis
expelled from their homes by Armenians were relocated. Despite
Azerbaijan sharing a border with Iran and Garabagh being in very
close proximity, Iran turned a blind eye to Armenia's actions.
In 2020, when the Azerbaijani Army halted Armenian provocations
and launched a counteroffensive, Iranian leadership refrained from
celebrating it. Even this year, in April, Iran's ambassador to
Armenia, Mehdi Subhani, held a press conference stating that
Armenian soldiers were killed with Israeli weapons during the
Second Garabagh War.
It's important to note that Azerbaijan purchased this weaponry
and military equipment from Israel with its own funds to liberate
its territories from occupation. Official Tehran, however, sent
substantial amounts of weaponry and military equipment to Armenia
during the 44-day Patriotic War to maintain Azerbaijani territories
under occupation.
Interestingly, all official statements from Iran indicate their
support for peace. However, Tehran does not specify the form in
which they support achieving peace.
It seems that the signing of a peace agreement between
Azerbaijan and Armenia does not align with Iran's interests. Just
yesterday, another provocative statement by Iran's ambassador in
Armenia was reported in the media. He mentioned that the results of
Iran's presidential elections today will not bring any change in
relations with Armenia. When asked about Azerbaijan, he emphasized
that Azerbaijan should avoid using "threatening" language toward
Armenia.
![](https://menafn.com/updates/pr/2024-06/29/A_d09b5ad1-5_Image_In_Body.png)
By making such provocative
statements at a time when events related to border delimitation and
demarcation processes are intensifying, he serves the interests of
the state he represents.
It's worth noting that Armenia's current leadership's steps
towards seeking peace have also caused a cooling in Iran's
relations with Armenia. On June 21, Armenia's recognition of
Palestine's independence was praised by many Muslim countries. Even
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan personally expressed his approval of
Armenia's step, stating that he applauded Armenia. Subsequently,
all Arab countries declared their positive attitudes towards
Armenia's decision.
However, Iran, which has consistently claimed to support
Palestine and has established close relations with Armenia as its
last ally, drew attention. The fact that Iran did not officially
respond to Armenia's decision until a week later, merely stating
"applauded," was perceived as ambiguous.
It is evident that Armenia's decision to announce this after the
phone call between Pashinyan and Erdogan on June 18, and the
statements by Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan regarding
normalizing relations with Turkiye, have provoked Iran. It appears
that Iran is displeased with Armenia's intentions to normalize and
develop relations with Azerbaijan and Turkiye. While Azerbaijan and
Armenia, which have been in a state of war for many years, have not
discussed a peace agreement in the region for the years, the power
dynamics are now changing. The peace process between these two
ciountries in the South Caucasus is on the agenda, and whether
other regional or foreign countries should accept this reality
sooner or later remains to be seen.
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