[translated] This article is from a government controlled media source:
A note on Russia’s policy towards Armenia and the region as a whole, in the oldest Iranian moderate daily newspaper “Ettelaat”.
A very interesting text, I recommend reading it. Especially for local Putinists who stupidly believe that Iran and Russia have the same regional interests.
The press secretary of the Russian Foreign Ministry, among other things, mentioned the Zangezur corridor and noted that the corridor is a route that can connect the main territory of Azerbaijan with Nakhichevan through Syunik in Armenia.
Although Zakharova emphasized that Russia takes into account the Iranian side’s concerns about the Zangezur corridor, it was stated that contact with Tehran would be held to clarify the situation.
About a week ago, Putin and his Foreign Minister emphasized the need for Pashinyan to pay attention to Moscow’s requests and consider this issue mandatory.
All this is happening against the background of the fact that Iran has previously clearly and at a high level expressed its position and concerns about this corridor.
In light of these conditions, questions arise. Why is Russia so stubborn about its position on Zangezur and what could be the consequences of this persistence?
To answer these questions, we spoke with Ali Bigdli, a senior foreign policy expert and international relations analyst:
Russia wants Zangezur to break out of isolation.
Russia is currently under sanctions and therefore is looking for opportunities to create new spaces and break out of isolation. Putin’s trip to Azerbaijan was hasty and informal in order to gain new markets. Putin needs money from some countries in the region. Interestingly, Armenia recently asked France (as a traditional ally of the Christian countries of the world) for help, and France asked Pashinyan to distance himself from Putin.
As for Zangezur, this region is extremely sensitive, and for the passage of trucks and trailers to Armenia and Azerbaijan, then to Karabakh, Georgia and finally to Europe, this is an important route.
For some time, goods had to come from Turkey and Armenia to Iran and then to Azerbaijan and Europe. Thus, Iran would receive transit fees. But after Armenia lost Karabakh, the situation changed.
At that time, despite very close relations with Armenia, Iran supported Azerbaijan to some extent, and even Turkish-speaking Iranians were more pro-Azerbaijani. The goal of Iran, oriented towards Azerbaijan, was to reduce internal tensions. Now, under these conditions, if Zangezur encounters problems, our communication with Europe will be interrupted, and if a new route opens, it will definitely not be at our disposal. The route, which has been extremely important to us since ancient times, is now leaving us.
Continued… 👇
lmsoa941 on
Implications are big. For what it’s worth, Iranian media has been actively talking about this issue, more than it did a year or two ago.
+ Media says that a confrontation is likely since they are admitting that “Russia will not back down”.
+ Media says that Russia is desperately scrambling for money, and he has no issues walking over Iranian interest in the region.
+ Media somewhat admits that Iran although supported Azerbaijan in the NK war, it had bad outcomes.
+ Media blames Erdogan for pushing the Zangezur corridor, says that Turkey is actively pursuing anti-Iranian interests with the help of Russia.
+ Media says that Iran should start developing relations with Europe. Implying that the new Iranian FM statements show that Iran might stop its military cooperation with Russia.
Zestifer on
Third time in three years. At this point Iran should’ve been used to seeing Russia’s ass and started sending drones to Ukraine. They know what to do with Russia’s ass
NemesisAZL on
Russia betrayed someone ? I am shocked I tell you shocked !!
6 Comments
[translated] This article is from a government controlled media source:
A note on Russia’s policy towards Armenia and the region as a whole, in the oldest Iranian moderate daily newspaper “Ettelaat”.
A very interesting text, I recommend reading it. Especially for local Putinists who stupidly believe that Iran and Russia have the same regional interests.
The press secretary of the Russian Foreign Ministry, among other things, mentioned the Zangezur corridor and noted that the corridor is a route that can connect the main territory of Azerbaijan with Nakhichevan through Syunik in Armenia.
Although Zakharova emphasized that Russia takes into account the Iranian side’s concerns about the Zangezur corridor, it was stated that contact with Tehran would be held to clarify the situation.
About a week ago, Putin and his Foreign Minister emphasized the need for Pashinyan to pay attention to Moscow’s requests and consider this issue mandatory.
All this is happening against the background of the fact that Iran has previously clearly and at a high level expressed its position and concerns about this corridor.
In light of these conditions, questions arise. Why is Russia so stubborn about its position on Zangezur and what could be the consequences of this persistence?
To answer these questions, we spoke with Ali Bigdli, a senior foreign policy expert and international relations analyst:
Russia wants Zangezur to break out of isolation.
Russia is currently under sanctions and therefore is looking for opportunities to create new spaces and break out of isolation. Putin’s trip to Azerbaijan was hasty and informal in order to gain new markets. Putin needs money from some countries in the region. Interestingly, Armenia recently asked France (as a traditional ally of the Christian countries of the world) for help, and France asked Pashinyan to distance himself from Putin.
As for Zangezur, this region is extremely sensitive, and for the passage of trucks and trailers to Armenia and Azerbaijan, then to Karabakh, Georgia and finally to Europe, this is an important route.
For some time, goods had to come from Turkey and Armenia to Iran and then to Azerbaijan and Europe. Thus, Iran would receive transit fees. But after Armenia lost Karabakh, the situation changed.
At that time, despite very close relations with Armenia, Iran supported Azerbaijan to some extent, and even Turkish-speaking Iranians were more pro-Azerbaijani. The goal of Iran, oriented towards Azerbaijan, was to reduce internal tensions. Now, under these conditions, if Zangezur encounters problems, our communication with Europe will be interrupted, and if a new route opens, it will definitely not be at our disposal. The route, which has been extremely important to us since ancient times, is now leaving us.
Continued… 👇
Implications are big. For what it’s worth, Iranian media has been actively talking about this issue, more than it did a year or two ago.
+ Media says that a confrontation is likely since they are admitting that “Russia will not back down”.
+ Media says that Russia is desperately scrambling for money, and he has no issues walking over Iranian interest in the region.
+ Media somewhat admits that Iran although supported Azerbaijan in the NK war, it had bad outcomes.
+ Media blames Erdogan for pushing the Zangezur corridor, says that Turkey is actively pursuing anti-Iranian interests with the help of Russia.
+ Media says that Iran should start developing relations with Europe. Implying that the new Iranian FM statements show that Iran might stop its military cooperation with Russia.
Third time in three years. At this point Iran should’ve been used to seeing Russia’s ass and started sending drones to Ukraine. They know what to do with Russia’s ass
Russia betrayed someone ? I am shocked I tell you shocked !!
Turkey, a NATO member lol
Interesting article