THE PROBLEMS OF THE CAUCASIAN POLICY OF IRAN DURING THE ARMED CONFLICT IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH (1991-1994)

The article analyzes the Caucasian direction of the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the post-Soviet period; the study reveals the problems faced by the country's leadership in the course of its implementation. Tehran's high interest in strengthening Iranian influence in the South Caucasus after the collapse of the USSR and the weakening of Russia's positions in the region is revealed. The sharp rivalry between Iran and Turkey for the predominant influence in the South Caucasus and the strengthening of its political and economic positions in the region are shown. The author analyzes the actions of the Iranian leadership during the armed conlict in Nagorno-Karabakh and notes the concern over the possible expansion of the conflict and the involvement of the Azerbaijani ethnic minority living in the north-west of Iran. The role of the "Azerbaijani factor" in Iran's policy in the South Caucasus is revealed; the reasons for the complex relations of the Islamic Republic with Azerbaijan, on the one hand, and its high interest in establishing close ties with Armenia, on the other hand, are given. The impact of various factors on the ambivalent position of the Iranian leadership on the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conlict is analyzed. The necessity of making qualitative changes in Iran's foreign policy in the South Caucasus direction, giving its policy in the region a more balanced character is proved. At the same time, it is emphasized that the balanced foreign policy of the Iranian leadership was in the interests of the national security of the country, focused on reducing the overall level of tension in the South Caucasus region.

«азербайджанский фактор», South Caucasus, instability, Iran, ambivalent policy, "Azerbaijani factor", Nagorno-Karabakh, conlict

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