Iran and Russia in the middle of South Caucasus conflict

An existential threat to Iran that may result from the border escalation between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

It was thought, for a long time, that the South Caucasus was a battlefield between Russia, Türkiye and the West led by the United States and the European Union, where everyone plays against everyone.

Currently, Iran has now been added to the equation.

Iran, which unlike Western countries doesn’t view the conflict in the Caucasus as a battle for influence, but rather sees it as a conflict that threatens the existence of the Iranian state.

Rather, the Iranian Foreign Ministry expressed it in greater detail, specifying the country’s position on the current conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

According to Tehran, Armenia’s territorial integrity must be preserved at all costs.

To some, it may seem that Iran is following the path that France has paved.

Against the background of Russia’s cautious stance, it is trying to show its readiness to defend Armenia, thus wresting control of this Caucasian republic from Moscow.

But things are more complicated than that.

The Iranians, unlike France (and Türkiye, the United States, and other Western actors), have a strong interest in Russia in the Caucasus.

While Iran considers Syria an area of ​​influence and is jealous of the presence of other players there including Russia, in the Caucasus region Tehran sees a dangerous weak side, i.e. an area from which dangers for the Islamic Republic could come, if this same region is under the control of hostile powers.

For Iran, whether, the US, Türkiye maybe, or Israel.

Iran cannot solve these problems alone.

It is unable to fully control the South Caucasus.

There are many players there and they have great interests in the region.

Therefore, Tehran has an interest in strengthening global players in the South Caucasus who don’t intend to use the region against Iran, and the only player to which this actually applies is Russia.

Iran are very concerned about the fact that they don’t see a clear Russian position on this issue.

In conclusion, Tehran means, above all, the line of force, and that’s why the Islamic Republic must make such stern position.