Iran has faced a serious crisis caused by internal economic problems and external interference. In Tehran, the international community’s reaction to ongoing events is being closely monitored, particularly that of neighboring countries.

The Special Significance of South Caucasian Countries for Iran

Azerbaijan: Geopolitical Challenges for Iran

Azerbaijan, despite its historical ties to Persia, is a relatively young state. Although the majority of Azerbaijan’s population practices Shi’ism (behind Iran and Iraq), Baku’s foreign policy course is oriented toward Sunni Turkey, relying on ethnic kinship and Ankara’s NATO membership. Iran is concerned about Turkey’s possible pan-Turkic aspirations regarding Azerbaijan and the Turkic countries of Central Asia. Particular concern is caused by Azerbaijan’s strategic partnership with Israel, which could lead to the use of Azerbaijani territory by Israeli special services and air forces for anti-Iranian purposes.

Armenia: Traditional Partner and Changing Reality

For Iran, Armenia is a traditional historical neighbor and civilization, with its eastern territory having been part of the Persian state for centuries. Iran viewed positively Yerevan’s policy aimed at preserving a strategic alliance with Russia, opposing Turkey, and refusing to provide its territory to Israel for subversive activities against the Islamic Republic. Until 2020, the established status quo in the Karabakh conflict ensured the relative security of Iran’s northern borders along the Aras River.

However, the situation began to change after Armenia’s defeat in the Second Karabakh War. Azerbaijan, having restored control over Karabakh, not only strengthened its partnership with Israel but also actively promotes the “Zangezur Corridor” project, which is intended to provide access through southern Armenia to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Region and Turkey. Azerbaijan’s attempts to forcefully “break through” the corridor in Zangezur in 2021–2023 created an extremely vulnerable position for Armenia. Having failed to receive expected external assistance, Yerevan decided to move closer to the West, particularly to France and the United........

© New Eastern Outlook