Iran’s Deft Diplomacy for Peace & Development in the Caucasus

Date: 21 February 2023 - 21:36

News ID: ۱۱۲۶۷۱

By: Kayhan Int’l Staff Writer

Unscathed by the West’s desperate campaign of economic-political terrorism, the Islamic Republic of Iran is steadily solidifying the security of neighbouring nations through its acclaimed diplomacy that is indeed a bulwark against US interference in the region.

The European regimes are free to follow Washington’s failed and frustrated policy of sanctions upon sanctions against Iranian organizations and individuals, but Iran very well knows that its blind enemies cannot do a damn thing against it.

The Islamic Republic pursues higher goals to safeguard the sovereignty and security of Iran, and this includes building relations based on mutual respect with its neighbours accompanied by sincere efforts to resolve their problems, so as to ensure peace and development in the region.

As part of this policy, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in his meeting in Tehran with the visiting Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko on Monday, declared readiness to help resolve the longstanding conflict between estranged neighbours, such as the Caucasus republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan through different formats and mechanisms.

The 3+3 format, which he proposed, includes the three southern Caucasus countries of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia, and three leading neighbouring countries having geographical proximity and a history of cultural, and political influence on the said region, that is, Iran, Turkey, and Russia.

Grushko welcomed the idea and highlighting the significance of promoting multilateralism in the world and cooperation among independent countries, criticized the US and certain West European regimes for abusing freedom, democracy and human rights.

Analysts noting the significance of the Iranian proposal for formation of a 3+3 group for the Caucasus region, point out that Turkey despite its ties with the US and the European Union, concurs with Iran and Russia that the West should be kept out from the affairs of the Caucasus countries.

For long centuries Azerbaijan and Armenia were integral parts of Iran, while Georgia was divided into Persian and Ottoman spheres, before the Tsarist advance in the Caucasus and absorption of all the three states into the Russian Empire, followed by seventy years of Soviet communist rule.

These historical factors are fully evident today and the southern Caucasus region, which is made up of independent states is strongly opposed to US and European meddling, and still looks towards Iran, Russia, and Turkey to help resolve differences amongst them, as well as to upgrade commercial and industrial ties.