Main directions of Iran’s regional policy in the South Caucasus in the post-soviet period (1991– 2011)

In the context of the new geopolitical realities that emerged in the post-Soviet space after 1991, the policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) in the direction of the South Caucasus became noticeably more active. During this period, the export ideology of the Islamic revolution became more restrained and cautious, which allowed Iran to take part in solving complex problems in the South Caucasus: in particular, at the very beginning of the armed conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, Tehran offered their services in its peaceful permission. Iran’s regional strategy strictly fit into the framework of the state ideology of the «Islamic» path of development, therefore, in the course of its implementation, various tactical methods and opportunities were involved. These issues continue to arouse increased interest among domestic researchers, and their study is relevant, bearing in mind the remaining threats to Russia’s national security interests in the South Caucasus direction.

The novelty of the study is determined by the fact that it contains a comprehensive analysis of the main directions of Iran’s regional policy in the South Caucasus, reveals its features and characteristics, as well as forms and methods of implementation. Particular attention is paid to issues related to the influence of internal and external factors on the complex processes of formation and development of Iran’s relations with the young states of the South Caucasus. The study found that in the course of conducting an anti-Western and, to a certain extent, independent of Russia foreign policy in the South Caucasus, Iran could not achieve noticeable success, since the influence and positions of Russia and the United States in the region remained strong. In general, the paper concludes that the hopes of Iran joining the circle of leading powers influencing the international situation in the South Caucasus were not destined to come true: in order to achieve this goal, first of all, it was necessary to strictly adhere to a pragmatic policy free from ideological layers, which was confirmed in the course of further development of events in the South Caucasus.

1. Calabrese J. Revolutionary Horizons: Regional foreign Policy in Post-Khomeini Iran. London: Palgrave Macmillan UK, 2016. 221 p.

2. Hovakimian A. What explains alignment? Armenian-Iranian alignment in the context of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Tartu: University of Tartu; Johan Skytte of Political Studies, 2017. 73 p.

3. Hovhannisyan N. The foreign policy of the Republic of Armenia in the Transcaucasian-Middle Eastern Geopolitical Region. Yerevan: National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia; Institute of Oriental Studies, 1998. 108 p.

4. Martirosian T. Recognition of the Armenian genocide as part of South Caucasian and Mid-Eastern politics //Central Asia and the Caucasus. – 2004. – №. 2 (26). URL: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/recognition-of-the-armenian-genocide-aspart-of-south-caucasian-and-mid-eastern-politics (Accessed: 4.09.2002).

5. Mirsoyan A. Armenia, the Regional Powers and the West. New York: Palgrave, 2010. 239 p.

6. Sanikidze G. Turkey, Iran and South Caucasus: Challenges for Regional Policy after the 2008 August War // Electronic Journal of Political Science Studies. 2001. No.2. Pp. 78–89.

7. Shaffer B. Borders and Brethern: Iran and the Challenge of Azerbaijani Identity. Cambridge: MIT Press. 268 p.

8. Terme S. Iranian foreign Policy towards the South Caucasus: Between revolutionary Ideals and Realpolitik / Reassessing Security in the South Caucasus. Regional Confl and Transformation /ed. A. Jafalian. Burlington: VT Ashgate. Pp.137–154.

9. Therme C. Irano-Armenian Alliance // Centre Europen de Recherches Internationales &. 2008. Pp. 1–4.

10. Vatanka A. Iran, Turkey, and the Future of the South Caucasus // MEI@75. 2022. 4 May. URL: https://www.mei.edu/ publications/iran-turkey-and-future-south-caucasus (Accessed: 3.09.2002).

11. Vira V., Fitzgerald E. The United States and Iran: Competition involving Turkey and the South Caucasus // Center for strategic @ international Studies (GSIS). 2011. August 4. Pp. 1 – 28.

12. Baghaturia E. Iran-Georgia relations and new challenges after the nuclear agreement. Tbilisi: Center for Cultural Relations «Caucasian House. (In Georgian).

13. Zviaduri I. Cancellation of the visa-free regime with Iran: internal and external impulses // Tabula. 2013. August 8. URL: https://tabula.ge/ge/news/555097-irantan-uvizo-rezhimis-gaukmeba-shida-gare (Accessed: 5.09.2002).

14. Tsiklauri M. The secret war between America and Iran // Liberal. 2010. January 13. URL: http://liberali.ge/articles/view/234/ amerikis-da-iranis-faruli-omi (Accessed: 2.09.2002). (In Georgian).

15. Tsikarishvili G. Fear of Iran being encircled – tension between Tehran and Baku // Tabula. 2021. October 18. URL: https:// tabula.ge/en/news/674714-iranis-alqashi-moktsevis-shishi-dadzabuloba (Accessed: 3.09.2002). (In Georgian).

16. Omid A., Khairy M. Impact of relations between Azerbaijan and Israel on the national security of Iran // Strategic research. 2015. No. 2. Pp. 137–158. URL: https://www.sid.ir/fa/journal/ViewPaper.aspx?id=478074 (Accessed: 4.09.2002). (In Persian).