Yerevan counts on Iran's support in pushing anti-Azerbaijani rhetoric The goal of Mirzoyan's voyage to Tehran

The visit of Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan to Iran ahead of the next round of negotiations between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia on the draft bilateral agreement on peace and the establishment of interstate relations confirmed the fact that Yerevan counts on Tehran's support in promoting the anti-Azerbaijani policy into the current post-conflict period.

For example, ahead of Mirzoyan's trip to Iran, Yerevan tried to win over the Iranian ambassador Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri, who was completing his mission in Armenia, during an interview with a journalist of the Orbeli analytical centre, who was asked how he felt about the "misfortunes" of "120,000 Karabakh Armenians". The step was made aimed at the support of the Iranian diplomat. But Zohouri, who has probably already heard about the "false blockade", only referred to the Trilateral Statement of 2020, emphasizing that both sides of the conflict should follow the points of the document.

"Our advice to all parties to the Statement and subsequent agreements has always been to adhere to the letter and spirit of these agreements and commitments. The countries also have clear obligations under international law, one of which is the protection of the rights and security of the inhabitants of the region. We note that the issue of the rights and security of the residents of this territory is complex and delicate," the Iranian ambassador said, bypassing the trap set for him by the Armenians.

Ararat Mirzoyan himself complained about the "humanitarian crisis in Karabakh" that arose due to the "illegal blocking of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan" on the eve of his trip to Tehran, receiving the newly appointed Iranian Ambassador Mehdi Sobhani. Counting, apparently, on the diplomat's weak awareness of the situation in the region, Mirzoyan, ironically enough, assured him that "all Armenia's efforts are aimed at establishing lasting peace in the South Caucasus."

So, the goals of the Iranian voyage of the Armenian minister were obvious in advance. It was clear that he would start voicing the legend "about the blocked road" and "starving people" in Tehran, since leading the international community by the nose is a common practice of official Yerevan. If we specify the goals of Mirzoyan's trip to Iran, then there were most likely two of them. Firstly, it is clear that the Armenian side is seriously concerned about the possible opening of the Zangazur corridor, and here its concerns completely coincide with the position of Iran. And today, when the probability of launching the Zangazur corridor has significantly increased, the Armenian side wants Iran to continue to prevent this. Secondly, Yerevan is very much counting on Tehran's military support, and this issue was most likely included in the agenda of the visit, although there is no specific information in the media about this. However, it is already known that Iran and Armenia already have experience in military cooperation. Yerevan has purchased UAVs from Tehran, although both sides are strenuously silent about it. So, despite Pashinyan's loud statements about "readiness for peace with Azerbaijan," Armenia is hatching revanchist plans, and Iran is actively helping it in this, purposefully arming it.

As for the opening of the Zangazur corridor, which Armenia and Iran are so opposed to, not only Azerbaijan, but also Türkiye, Russia, and Europe are interested in this. The fact that the launch of this path is inevitable was confirmed in June by the head of the Azerbaijani state, making a statement to the press following talks with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"The opening of the Zangazur corridor is inevitable. The sooner it opens, the better. In any case, we will increase our efforts in this direction. The opening of this corridor will create new opportunities for all countries and will have a positive impact on business cooperation in the region," Ilham Aliyev said.

A month before this meeting, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan directly stated that the problem of the Zangazur corridor comes not from Armenia, but from Iran.

Now what about the ambiguous statements of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, voiced on July 24? According to him, "Tehran supports the territorial integrity of all countries in the region, but is against geopolitical changes in the region".

"The Islamic Republic of Iran does not accept any geopolitical changes, changes in the borders of the countries of the region and supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries of the region," Raisi said loudly, to whom a completely reasonable question should have been addressed. If Iran is such a zealous supporter of preserving the borders of the countries of the region, then why has Tehran been silent in a rag all the years of the occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenians? The answer is obvious. Because this state of affairs completely suited Tehran. Because, firstly, a strong and independent Azerbaijan has always been a bone in the throat of the clerical regime. Secondly, Iran itself was not averse to plundering Azerbaijani lands. All these years, the mullah regime has supported the occupying country and continues to do so now, supplying weapons of its own production to Armenia.

And one more important point. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said in Tehran that "Armenia will never become a platform for anti-Iranian actions." Meanwhile, we are sure that the Iranians have realized here that Mirzoyan misleading them. After all, they are aware that the largest US embassy in the South Caucasus operates in Armenia. It is clear that this is regarded by Tehran as a direct threat to its interests and security. And Tehran is also aware of the EU mission, which collects intelligence from the Armenian-Iranian border under the guise of patrolling the conditional Armenian-Azerbaijani border. But Mirzoyan, without batting an eye, tried to assure the Iranians that "Armenia will never become a platform for anti-Iranian actions." Although, it is obvious that the regime of the mullahs will swallow this, and forgive Armenia, just to keep a joint alliance with it against Azerbaijan and Türkiye.

Anyway, taking into account all these nuances, and even despite the fact that certain impulses for reconciliation have been coming from Iran lately, Baku has not believed the words of its southern neighbour for a long time, and, without interrupting the sequence in foreign policy, including in relations with Iran, is still watching her actions. Azerbaijan will draw conclusions based solely on Tehran's position in addressing key issues on the regional agenda and Iranian-Azerbaijani relations.