“Ali Akbar Velayati, who holds an important position in Iran’s political decision-making system, is one of the influential figures who articulate the country’s strategic approaches. That is why his statements must be taken seriously.”
Globalinfo.az reports that this was said by Armen Hovasepyan, a member of the Council of the Republican Party of Armenia, commenting on remarks by Iran’s former foreign minister and adviser to the Supreme Leader, Ali Akbar Velayati, about the TRIPP project.
The Armenian politician said Velayati had described the TRIPP project as a red line for Iran and had said that crossing that line would draw a harsh reaction:
“Tehran regards the project as a threat in terms of ensuring a long-term US presence near Iran’s northern borders and changing the balance of forces in the region. Russian and Iranian interests in the South Caucasus coincide on certain points. Both countries are interested in preserving their levers of influence in the region and in preventing an expansion of the West’s presence. Russia’s being engaged in a war in Ukraine does not mean Moscow is abandoning its interests in the South Caucasus.”
Another notable point in the statement is the reference to the Treaty of Turkmenchay. The Armenian politician assessed this as an indication of Iran’s historical geopolitical approach to the territories located north of the Araz River:
“The factor of Russian influence in those territories must also be taken into account. Velayati’s remarks that Iran will fill the vacuum that has formed in the area stretching as far as Derbent are also an indication of Tehran’s regional ambitions.
The Armenian authorities present the TRIPP project mainly within the framework of economic opportunities and do not adequately take into account the geopolitical competition surrounding it. As a result, southern Armenia could turn into a space where the interests of foreign powers collide. Responsibility for the consequences of this may fall on the country itself.”
Safura Bannayeva
Globalinfo.az
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