The role of Armenia in the geopolitical development of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Abstract:

This dissertation studies the role of the Republic of Armenia in the geopolitical development of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Caucasus region, and in this way, while examining different approaches in the field of international relations and regional and extra-regional powers, it studies the geopolitical and geoeconomic characteristics of the region and the political, commercial, security, cultural and other relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Armenia and other countries in the Caucasus region. The changes in the structure of the international system in 1991 and the change in the bipolar system fundamentally changed the global equations, especially in some of the main regions of the world. Most of this effect occurred in the Eurasia region, which was once considered the territory of the Soviet Union. The emergence of independent units, apart from changing the world's geographical map, led to new geopolitical and geostrategic calculations for the region, including the South Caucasus region. The Caucasus, the connecting region of Europe and Asia and The meeting place of great civilizations is one of the most important geopolitical and geoeconomic areas of the world. From a security point of view, Russia is trying to stabilize its past political, economic and military position in the Caucasus, and the United States is also seeking to develop its influence and interests with economic investments and geopolitical leadership of energy. Also, the Caucasus is the field of activity of actors such as Türkiye, Israel and the European Union, who have entered this region with economic and political goals. In the meantime, intra-regional factors such as energy equations, crises and ethnic disputes, political and social developments in the countries of this area and economic instability due to the free economy have also provided favorable grounds for intense regional and global competition. The Republic of Armenia is one of the countries of the South Caucasus Basin and shares a common border with Iran. Despite the lack of access to open waters and economic blockade by two neighboring countries (Azerbaijan and Turkey), this country has a special geopolitical position in the region and has friendly relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran. In this thesis, with the aim of explaining the role of Armenia in the geopolitical development of Iran in the region and analyzing the divergent and converging factors in the relations between the two countries, it is argued that the development of diplomatic, commercial, security and The relationship between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Armenia has led to the stability, security and geopolitical development of Iran in the region, and on the other hand, based on this argument, the development of relations between the two countries will reduce interference and create tension by regional powers such as Turkey (in the implementation of its ambitious goals (Pan-Turkism)).

Key words: geopolitics, Caucasus, Islamic Republic of Iran, Armenia, Pan-Turkism.

Introduction:

Caucasus region is of special importance due to its geopolitical, geostrategic and geoeconomic position and having energy reserves for regional (Iran, Turkey) and extra-regional (Russia, United States of America, etc.) developments and conditions that occurred after the collapse of the Soviet Union in this region, such as ethnic differences, crises, instability and problems. The economic situation caused a suitable opportunity for the influence of regional and extra-regional powers to take advantage of the chaotic situation of the newly independent countries based in this region and to implement their desired security and economic policies. The importance of the Caucasus region has caused it to be considered as one of the important components of Iran's security. This region, which was under the control of Iran in the past centuries, has now severely affected Iran's security environment with the common land borders. Common borders and historical, cultural, religious and linguistic commonalities with part of this region, although they are considered effective and undeniable components in the importance of Iran's role in the Caucasus, but due to the influence of external conditions, it has not met Iran's strategic expectations. Therefore, the Islamic Republic of Iran is bound to adopt an appropriate strategy based on realism to guarantee its interests not only at the level of the countries of the Caucasus region, but also at the level of the main Eurasian region and finally at the macro level of the international system. The Caucasus region, and especially its sub-branch, the South Caucasus, is important for the great powers as the meeting point of the European Union, NATO, Turkey and Central Asia, and for the Islamic Republic of Iran in terms of ethnicity, borders, territory, and national security. Therefore, research and study on the issues of this region and its consequences for Iran, and provide solutions in order to secure Iran's national interests in the South Caucasus by establishing a strong relationship with the Republic of Armenia, which is an inseparable link.Therefore, it is necessary to research and study the issues of this region and its consequences for Iran, and to provide solutions in order to secure Iran's national interests in the South Caucasus through the establishment of a strong relationship with the Republic of Armenia, which has an unbreakable historical, cultural and security link with Iran.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, taking into account the emerging power vacuum, the West made efforts in the Eurasian region, especially in the Caucasus basin, within the framework of geopolitical goals. (Heartland and Rimland theory) to establish bilateral relations with the newly independent countries and also to form and strengthen regional organizations aligned with their goals. In the meantime, America has shown more attention to Central Asia and the Caucasus in terms of its strategic position during the past two decades, especially after September 11. Russia, while monitoring the West's efforts to expand its influence in the political and security fields, especially the energy resources of the region, is trying to maintain its traditional influence in the region by improving relations and establishing commercial and military treaties with the countries of the region. Therefore, the South Caucasus region needs to adopt policies in the current period with the growing trend of regionalism and globalization to ensure the interests of the countries of the region and provide the basis for stability and consequently the progress of the nations of the region. With its privileged geopolitical and geostrategic position, the Islamic Republic of Iran can play a significant role in this regard. In this sense, in this thesis, an attempt has been made to describe the situation of one of the key historical-geographical centers of the world, namely the South Caucasus region, and to analyze the effective elements in the development of political, security and commercial relations between the countries of the region, especially to examine the role of the Republic of Armenia in the geopolitical development of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the region.

Thesis The present has been compiled in five chapters:

Chapter 1: In this chapter, the statement of the research problem, importance of research, research objectives, research questions and hypotheses, research method, background and limitations of the research have been described.

Chapter 2: In this chapter, the concept of geopolitics, the geopolitical position of the countries of the Caucasus region and the position of Russia in the mentioned region have been examined.

Chapter 3: In this chapter, the geographical location and The geopolitics of Armenia in different eras, the opportunities and limitations and geopolitical prospects of this country have been discussed.

Chapter 4: This chapter includes research findings and the role of Armenia in connecting Iran with the Caucasus, Balkans, Russia, preventing the influence of Pan-Turkism, as well as the prospect of geopolitical relations between Iran and Armenia in the region.

Chapter 5: In this chapter, which includes the evaluation of hypotheses and The conclusion is, the research questions have been evaluated and the research hypotheses have been answered. At the end, research suggestions are presented.

Statement of the problem

This research examines and identifies geopolitical elements at the level of bilateral relations between Iran and Armenia and the threats and opportunities arising from it. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenia had many problems with its neighbors, including Iran, which have remained unresolved until now. Currently, Armenia cannot use its borders with Azerbaijan for transportation, and despite the problems it has with Turkey regarding the Armenian Genocide during the Ottoman era, it cannot use its borders with this country either. Although Armenia is trying to use the borders of Georgia, which is located in the north of this country, for transportation, but despite the regional conflicts, this is not possible. In such a situation, Armenia's relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran become more important and full. Although the geopolitical weakness of Armenia determines the relations of this country with different countries, there are still many political factors at Armenia's disposal so that it can play a better role, so the Islamic Republic of Iran is rightly trying to bring Turkey's power under its influence with its influence in the region and to strengthen its relationship with Armenia in order to create a balance between Turkey and the Republic of Azerbaijan. The same goal can be seen in Armenia's policies towards Türkiye. Although Armenia has declared that it is strategically allied with Russia, the aid that Armenia receives from America is not comparable to the aid that Russia gives to this country. Although the United States deals with the conflict in Karabakh from a different point of view. Regardless of the regional conflicts, the United States wants the Republic of Azerbaijan to establish its military bases in this country, while keeping silent in front of the development of bilateral relations between Iran and Armenia.