Tehran - fifth column of region Story of hate

It goes in one ear and out the other - this is approximately how one can characterize Iran's attitude to the statements of Azerbaijan calling for the soonest possible establishment of peace in the South Caucasus. It has almost become a phobia for Tehran to see all actions and intentions of Azerbaijan as a threat. This attests, perhaps, to one thing: Iran and its current policy are, apparently, not aimed at peace and development, but rather at destabilizing the region. So is Armenia.

In the manner of a broken record, the statements of the Iranian political elites filled with anger are heard from Tehran again and again, from which one obvious conclusion follows - the Islamic Republic of Iran traditionally and consistently continues its pro-Armenian and anti-Azerbaijani policy.

For some reason, it is precisely in the last two years, when the geopolitical situation in the South Caucasus begins to take peaceful shape after the 44-day war, Iran, on the contrary, is actively intensifying anti-Azerbaijani rhetoric, bringing imbalance and confusion to the region, for which by hook or by crook it is trying to neutralize our country's diplomatic efforts in the region.

It is extremely vividly demonstrated right now when despite the fact that the contours of the future peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia have been clearly outlined after the talks in Prague, the Iranian side has once again observed the dangers and risks for itself.

The other day, Mohammad Jamshidi, deputy head of the Iranian presidential administration for political affairs declared it unacceptable to change the "historical" borders in the South Caucasus and the transit routes to Armenia. According to him, Tehran is also against any European military presence in the region under whatever pretext, reasoning that "the West cannot distract the leadership of the Islamic Republic from the strategic interests of the Iranian people."

Frankly, these statements do not make much sense. Especially if you consider that Baku has repeatedly explained to Tehran the configuration of its policy, its peaceful nature, and transparency of all intentions and also that Azerbaijan in no way intends to harm any of Iran's national interests or break its ties with Armenia, so important for Tehran. Although it is not clear why their Armenian "brothers" in Iran are so loved and respected.

One thing is clear: the hypocrisy of Iranian policy is obvious. For some reason, for Iran, Azerbaijan is always an "unkind" neighbour, while Armenia is somehow kind and desirable.

Although, it would seem that Tehran should logically be building a strategic partnership with Azerbaijan. At least taking into account common religious values and the fact that there are millions of ethnic Azerbaijanis in Iran.

However, the fact that for thirty years Iran has looked on indifferently, contenting itself with routine phrases, when Armenia treacherously seized the historical lands of Azerbaijan's Muslims of the same spirit, defies any comprehension and logic. And it is even more difficult to understand why Iranian officials are now rubber-stamping statements that Armenia's territorial integrity is a "red line", making threats against Azerbaijan and supporting Armenia in every possible way.

There is one conclusion, and it is self-evident: the Iranian government is unwilling to tolerate another independent and powerful player in the region. A vivid indicator of this attitude is the fact that Iran has a hostile attitude towards our country's attempts to implement the idea of the Zangazur corridor.

At the same time, for 28 years of Armenian occupation, Iran had been permanently maintaining relations with Yerevan, actively developing infrastructure, economic and trade relations with Armenia, and making various concessions and allowances for Armenians who eternally cried about their hard life.

This attitude was clearly expressed on the political level as well. During the occupation of our lands, Iran turned a blind eye to the destruction of the national cultural heritage of the Azerbaijani people and the insulting of their religious shrines and architectural monuments. At that time as well as now influential figures of Iran joyfully embrace bloody Armenian executioners - for example, ex-presidents Kocharyan and Sarkisyan at every opportunity and periodically make statements in media about Iranian-Armenian friendship and brotherhood, etc.

And what about Tehran's blatant hypocritical move that violates the ethics and solidarity of Muslims around the world when Iran also supported the occupier in its policy of annexation of the cultural and religious heritage of Azerbaijan? Thus, in order to create a "humanistic image" of Armenia in its supposedly tolerant position on the preservation of Azerbaijani cultural and religious monuments, Iranian specialists were sent to reconstruct Azerbaijani mosques in Shusha and Yerevan.

It is also worth recalling the direct involvement of Iranian companies in looting natural resources in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. The Iranians did not practically despise anything on our soil at that time.

And the position of Iran in the 44-day war can be clearly described as anti-Azerbaijani, it did not even bother to adopt a policy of non-interference and respect for its neighbour. This was also manifested in the transfer of Iranian weapons to Armenia during the 44-day war, as well as the transit of Lebanese fighters. At the same time, Tehran did not forget to make various threatening remarks about Baku during this period. As for the statements supporting Azerbaijan`s actions for the restoration of the territorial integrity of our country, it is more than trivial: they were voiced only when Tehran realized the obviousness of Azerbaijan`s victory in the 44-day war.

Tehran`s policy towards its own citizens - ethnic Azerbaijanis is absolutely immoral. Their rights are violated openly, and Azerbaijanis are denied the opportunity to study in their native language, despite the fact that the percentage of the Azerbaijani population in Iran exceeds 25-30% (20-25 million). The establishment of any national public organisations by Azerbaijanis in Iran is perceived as a threat to the government and the state, and they are brutally suppressed by the authorities.

If we compare the level of rights and freedoms of ethnic Azerbaijanis and Armenians, the Armenian population clearly has more. In this sense, official Tehran is clearly deliberately not equating these communities, repressing some and protecting the interests of others.

Thus, in contrast to the restrictions on Azerbaijanis, there are Armenian-language schools and Armenian-language media outlets in Iran. The question is, why should this be so?

It is worth noting the fact that Azerbaijan has never officially interfered in the policies of the Iranian authorities in this area, diplomatically noting that these issues are internal affairs of Iran. Although it could have. And Iran should have been extremely grateful to our country for such loyalty. In reality, on the contrary, Iranian special services work purposefully to undermine the Azerbaijani statehood, hatching plans against its immediate neighbour in a sly and underhanded manner. There are numerous facts about forming a pro-Iranian "5th column" in Azerbaijan and spending big money for its maintenance, subversion inside our country under the guise of religious activities, brainwashing of ordinary citizens, and their use against our national interests. However, such subversive activities of Iran in relation to our country are quite in line with Tehran's policy of supporting Armenian Nazism in the region and Armenia's terrorist policy against our country.

Therefore, it is worth noting - apparently, the accusations of the international community and Western leaders, who call Iran a sponsor of radical groups and movements, international separatism, and terrorism, are quite justified and fair. The fact that the Iranian government channels its national wealth into the building and maintaining its influence in certain countries and undermining stability are the main factors determining the formation of Iran's image as a country that supports terrorism in the world, including the notorious Armenian terrorism.

However, current events in Iran show that the policy of aggression and hypocrisy has played a cruel joke on the authorities in Tehran: mass protests and riots are a vivid example that citizens no longer tolerate the regime of Iranian mullahs. Iranian society no longer tolerates the restriction of all rights and freedoms, medieval thinking, theocratic rule, and misanthropic behaviour. Now official Tehran, instead of hurling threats at Baku, should seriously consider the problem of saving its regime and the internal integrity of its own country.