Advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader: Armenian project can solve existing problems between Yerevan and Baku

Region Monitor presents an interview with Saadollah Zarei, an Iranian professor, international affairs analyst, and advisor to the Office of the Supreme Spiritual Leader of Iran. The conversation with the advisor touched upon issues related to Armenian-Iranian relations, as well as regional and global developments.

Armenpress presents this interview.

- Mr. Zarei, how do you assess the Iranian-Armenian relations at the current stage? Is there a prospect of taking the relations to a strategic level and documenting it?

- Many peoples of our region have such a saying. We Persians say: the past is the light of the future. In other words, look to the past to see the future. Since the Republic of Armenia was established after the collapse of the Soviet Union, our relations with Armenia have always been stable. These relations have never been interrupted. The importance of these relations has always been emphasized by both Tehran and Yerevan, and their development has always been discussed. Although the development of relations between Iran and Armenia has not been without consequences for the Islamic Republic, taking into account the painful attitude of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Shiites of Azerbaijan. We have paid our price for this. Our relations with Armenia caused negative reactions in Azerbaijan towards Iran, but we have preserved and continued these relations. Therefore, we can say that the horizon for the development of these relations is open. However, there are opponents to this, including Western countries, which initially do not want Iran to develop relations with the countries of the region. Today we know that Armenia is under pressure, and we hope that the Armenian government will be able to resist that pressure, as that pressure also contradicts Armenia's national interests. The wider Armenia's ties in the region, the more opportunities for development it will have. At the same time, its vulnerability will also decrease. However, the Western countries, creating contradictions in the region, try to prevent the development of relations between the countries, especially Iran's relations with the countries of the region.

- As you know, the text of the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan is ready, but Azerbaijan refuses to sign this document. According to experts, military actions against Iran may be launched jointly by the U.S., Israel and Azerbaijan. And there is an opinion that Azerbaijan avoids signing the agreement precisely because of all this, as in case of a possible war with Iran it can occupy the territories of Armenia, and the opening of the so-called “Zangezur corridor” can take place. How do you assess the probability of such a scenario?

- Over the last 10 years we have witnessed one ridiculous idea. Some people said that it is possible to establish relations in the Caucasus without Iran, i.e. excluding Iran's participation. However, in reality, over the years, neither side has been able to establish normal relations without Iran. Iran did not interfere in the war between Azerbaijan and Armenia. We were not in favor of the war, unlike some countries in the region, but they could not ignore Iran's position. In other words, we have no concerns about maintaining our position. While outside intervention may create problems, it cannot make a significant difference because we are sensitive to the region. It is a region that was once part of Iran's ancient geography. The culture of this region is linked to our culture, security to our security, economy to our economy, and transit routes to our interests. This territory is at the same time a link between Iran and Russia, as well as Iran and Europe. Therefore, these relations must be preserved and we believe that they will be preserved. Azerbaijan, in my opinion, realizes that neither America nor Israel are its neighbors. The only major neighbor is the Islamic Republic of Iran. This cannot be changed. It is a reality. That is why we do not take seriously rumors that Israel or the U.S. want to do something like that here. Ultimately, the fate of the region is determined by the regional processes themselves, not by the policies that are determined on the other side of the Atlantic. The failure of the “deal of the century” or the failure of the Abrahamic Accords to change the realities of the region are examples of this. Reality changes resistance, not plans written on paper. This region does not belong to the United States or Israel. It is a common geography for us, the peoples of the region, and it is on the basis of our close relations that a security, political and economic system can be formed here.

- What is Iran's attitude towards Armenia's “Crossroads of Peace” initiative? Does Iran share the prospects of the initiative that Armenia sees and offers to the states of the region?

- In his New Year's speech, the leader of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Khamenei, discussing economic issues, cited the “North-South corridor” as an example. This shows that Iran's economic thinking is regionally oriented. It is based on the idea of a common corridor between these countries. Mr. Pashinyan's proposal can be assessed in this very context, and in our opinion, it can solve numerous problems and tensions between the two countries. That is, all the demands of Azerbaijan, all the demands of Armenia, Georgia, ours, Russia, even the demands of Turkey and Europe can be resolved within this vast corridor without causing tension. In my opinion, Mr. Pashinyan's proposal is well worth considering.

- In what direction and how can Iranian-American negotiations develop, and will a diplomatic deal be reached as a result, or is a military confrontation not ruled out?

- The US and Trump personally, in a letter sent to Iran, emphasized that the time has come for talks after a long period of tension. Trump said that dialog could bring benefits and open a new path. However, I doubt that Mr. Trump is saying this sincerely. We have not seen sincerity in Trump: today he says one thing, tomorrow he does the exact opposite. For example, at the same time as this friendly letter, sanctions were imposed on new companies. That shows a lack of sincerity. But there was one important thing in Trump's letter: he recognized that conflict cannot solve the U.S. problem with Iran, and the U.S. cannot solve its problems militarily. Ultimately, there must be dialog. However, according to Trump, this dialog should only serve US interests. Meanwhile, in our view, the dialog should be based on the interests of both countries and even the broader international framework. Both states should sit down and discuss their problems on the basis of international law. We believe this is possible because there are certain rules: international law, respect for independence, the right to nuclear energy, the right to have a strong military and the right to conduct regional free trade. The US is saying: forget all that and accept the new order they are proposing. But this is impossible because it violates international rules and hurts everyone. If the rules are broken in one place, it is quite possible that they will be broken elsewhere. So if the question is whether it is possible to resolve the problems between the US and Iran within the framework of international law, the answer is yes. But if the question is whether Iran will give up its rights for peaceful relations with the United States, the answer is no. That has not happened for 46 years, the tension has always been there, but it has come from the U.S. side. Iran has never been the initiator of these tensions, we have never threatened the U.S., and if we responded to a strike, it was a response, not an initiative.

- Mr. Zarei, what is Iran's position on the growing influence of external players in the South Caucasus, especially Turkey and Russia?

- We believe that Turkey is one of the countries in the region with its own interests, ties and rights. This is acceptable. Turkey is allowed to play an active role in the Caucasus, just like Russia. The same can apply to other countries, including Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. However, Turkey and Mr. Erdogan personally are currently escalating the conflict in the South Caucasus. This is illogical. This is not about Turkey's national interest or security, but about the ideology of chaos that is spreading in the Caucasus. And this ideology ultimately harms Turkey itself, as Turkey cannot advance its policies in a conflict. It is harmful to other countries in the region as well. This is not something that can be ignored.

- How does Iran assess the current state of its relations with Azerbaijan, especially after the recent tensions?

- You see, we, as the Islamic Republic of Iran, have very natural, close and historical ties with the people, territory, security and interests of Azerbaijan. Iran has always fulfilled its friendly obligations towards Azerbaijan. You know that this region separated from Iran not so long ago. Less than two centuries ago. In the last 35 years, as states have emerged and developed, growing stronger or weaker, Iran has never once made any claim against Azerbaijan, Armenia or Georgia, not even over a village or a river. You also know what Turkey is doing: it is seizing territories in Syria, it has seized Bashiqa in Iraq and is trying to expand its position, but Iran has never made any claim not only to this territory, but also to Bahrain, which separated from Iran 50 years ago. In other words, our position is definite. We do not seek instability or territorial expansion, we are in favor of cooperation and brotherhood. There are also people who don't want to see this brotherhood because it is an obstacle to foreign infiltration. We believe that anti-Iranian movements in the Caucasus have external - American, Israeli and other sources. We have no territorial, border or any other demands on Azerbaijan at all. So why should there be instability here - it does not correspond to our interests. Although there are people who exaggerate realities and bring them to Azerbaijani society in wrong interpretations. However, this policy will not bring results. The geographical realities of the region are unchanged: the neighborhood of Iran and Azerbaijan, Armenia and Azerbaijan will remain unchanged. External intervention can only cause temporary fluctuations, but will not be able to dictate an entire regional system.

Reprinted from https://news.am/