Re: Iranian-Armenian relations
Interesting read:
Interesting read:
Currently Iran is breaking the US-imposed isolation by building a sophisticated network of commercial, social, and political ties with as many states as possible worldwide. Iran’s only condition for the establishment of commercial, social and political ties with other countries is that they accept the Islamic system of governance in Iran and not threaten Islamic Iran’s interests. These include respect for its territorial sovereignty and integrity and no obstacles in Iran’s non-aggressive promotion of Islam as a solution to the global economic, social and political injustices that plague the world today. This is a formula upon which Islamic Iran constructs its relations with Armenia and other states. If the Baku regime were to consider the security dilemmas which it imposes on Islamic Iran by being a strategic vassal of the US in the region, Iran would have built close ties with Azerbaijan long ago. Taking into consideration the historic and cultural ties with Iran as well as adherence of most Azeris to the Shi‘i school of jurisprudence, Iran is a natural strategic partner for Azerbaijan. However, since the despotic regime in Baku prefers the comfort of power and wealth over state interests, Iran’s policies towards Azerbaijan are severely constrained.
There are no legitimate reasons why Iran should not have ties with Armenia. Such ties are economically driven and do not represent a threat to Azerbaijani statehood. Regardless of the level of trade between Iran and Armenia, it would be unwise to assume that once the current shaky ceasefire in Karabakh collapses, Iran would actively side with Armenia. This would create tensions within Iran and damage Iran’s Islamic credibility that took three painful decades to build. Iran would never side with Armenia at a strategic level because it would undermine its soft-power appeal, which is its main asset in building relations with other Muslim societies and countries.
However, at some point Iran will have to make some crucial strategic choices once the current regime in Baku collapses and/or the war reignites in Karabakh again. In order to make the right choices, Islamic Iran would need to possess a much stronger and much more active socio-political platform within Azerbaijan and Armenia. How Iran will accomplish this is yet to be seen.
There are no legitimate reasons why Iran should not have ties with Armenia. Such ties are economically driven and do not represent a threat to Azerbaijani statehood. Regardless of the level of trade between Iran and Armenia, it would be unwise to assume that once the current shaky ceasefire in Karabakh collapses, Iran would actively side with Armenia. This would create tensions within Iran and damage Iran’s Islamic credibility that took three painful decades to build. Iran would never side with Armenia at a strategic level because it would undermine its soft-power appeal, which is its main asset in building relations with other Muslim societies and countries.
However, at some point Iran will have to make some crucial strategic choices once the current regime in Baku collapses and/or the war reignites in Karabakh again. In order to make the right choices, Islamic Iran would need to possess a much stronger and much more active socio-political platform within Azerbaijan and Armenia. How Iran will accomplish this is yet to be seen.
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