What Interests Iran in Armenia

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 13:57:32 – 14/05/2011

The special envoy of Iran’s president visited Yerevan. Mohammad Reza
Rauf Sheibani met with the leaders of the country and the ex-president
Robert Kocharyan, which was expected.

Earlier the Iranian government had invited Kocharyan to Tehran where
he met with the president of Iran.

Today the embassy of Iran released a statement which actually explains
the purpose of the visit of the special envoy, `since the Islamic
Republic of Iran is the only country bordering on the conflict area,
it is concerned by any effort to cause tensions in this region and
will not allow these provocations to lead to the presence of foreign
forces in the region.’

The border with Karabakh which runs 170 km from Meghri to Horadiz is a
vital issue of national security for Iran. This border is currently
controlled by the Armenian force. The status quo and the presence of
the Armenian force only on its border is favorable for Iran.

Iran has reason to worry. The home political developments in Armenia
may lead to a lasting division of power between the Armenian National
Congress and the ruling majority. These two poles have the same
approach to the settlement of Karabakh, both support a compromise,
that is the return of four territories bordering with Iran to
Azerbaijan.

If the settlement takes this path, deployment of peacekeepers in the
region will appear on the agenda. The contingent is one of the key
issues of international diplomacy. Should it be Western, Russian or
mixed? None of these is favorable for Iran. The presence of
peacekeepers is viewed as a threat to its security, in particular,
secession of the northern states of Iran. Russia has made two similar
efforts in the 20th century.

Hence, it was expected that the special envoy of Iran’s president
would meet with Robert Kocharyan whose approach to the settlement of
Karabakh and relations with Turkey differs from the approach of the
Armenian National Congress and the government.

Iran needs partners in Armenia who share its geopolitical approach.
And an interesting situation occurs. Iran must try to persuade the
Armenian not to return the territories.