Iran's full-court diplomatic press covers Lebanon, Oman, Russia and Turkey - analysis

• Published date: 07 October 2021
• Author: SETH J. FRANTZMAN
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

More is sure to come. A strategic document may be signed with Moscow, Al-Mayadeen reports. Iran and Russia have similar stances on the issues in the region, the Iranian diplomat says. "In a related context, Al Mayadeen's correspondent revealed that the Iranian minister announced his readiness to visit Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, to enhance ties between the two countries," the report says.

Amirabdollahian also has said his country does not accept "geopolitical changes" in the Caucasus. Tensions between Iran and Azerbaijan have been rising. "We certainly will not tolerate geopolitical change and map change in the Caucasus, and we have serious concerns about the presence of terrorists and Zionists in this region," he said.

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This relates to Iran's claims that Israel works closely with Baku. Iran recently hosted Armenia's foreign minister in Tehran and it appears that the Islamic Republic has invited the Azerbaijan foreign minister as well.

Iran appears to want to increase transit and trade with Armenia. Kheirollah Khademi, Iran's deputy transport minister and chief executive of a road-building company, arrived in the Armenian capital of Yerevan on Monday, according to reports.

Iran is deeply concerned by what it sees as Turkish meddling in the Caucasus, and also the chance that Iran could be cut off from Russia. Iran's Fars News says that Turkey wants to redraw the map on the border.

"After its defeats and failures in the Libyan and Syrian cases, Turkey has a strong desire to at least achieve a minimal achievement in the Caucasus region," it said. "This achievement, which is the land connection with the Republic of Azerbaijan, can implement Erdogan's plans to establish a land connection with the communication corridors with China without passing through Iran, which is an economic advantage.

Undoubtedly, if this plan is realized, Turkey's behavior will be even more aggressive," Fars said. "The Russians have already seen and will likely consider many instances of this change in behavior in Turkey." Iran's point is to draw the Russian attention to the border area.

RUSSIA HAS different agendas. It sees the dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia as a kind of local police action, and it wants to merely balance these former Soviet Socialist Republics, which it views as its near abroad, rather than treat them as equal countries.

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