Iran Should Follow a Rational Policy
Israel wants to prove its problems are only with Arab countries, not Muslim countries. Interview with Asadollah Athari on Shimon Peres trip to the Republic of Azerbaijan.
What are the reasons for Shimon Peres’ visit to Azerbaijan?
If you read Shimon Peres’ book ’The New Middle East’, you will see that he believes Israel should circumvent Arab states and establish ties with other Muslim countries. Arab, and not, Muslim countries are hostile towards Israel Peres believes. Central Asian and Caucasian countries are some favorite options for Israel in order to expand ties.
Peres’ visit to Azerbaijan is the realization of this theory, i.e. reinforcing relations with a Muslim (and Shiite) country like Azerbaijan to show that only Arab countries are against Israel.
Before his trip, the Israel president had an interview with Trend News in where he said Israel and Azerbaijan have many things in common. Peres pointed to Azerbaijan’s wealth of gas, the co-existence of Jews, Muslims and Christians, and Azerbaijan’s cultural background. Agriculture, water, health and high tech are four domains in which Azerbaijan and Israel are interested to cooperate according to Peres. Israel also needs Azerbaijan’s energy resources.
Why did Israel make this move? And how will Azerbaijan-Israel relations affect Iran?
To show that it has no problems with Muslim countries. It also wants to create a strategic alliance with Turkey and Azerbaijan. This is the most important thing which will cause problems for our national security.
Naturally relations between Israel –which is our enemy- and any other country will have impact on our foreign diplomacy.
Israel-Turkey relations did not affect Iran-Turkey relations considerably. Will Israel-Azerbaijan relations have any influence on Iran-Azerbaijan ties?
There are two different levels when we speak about Turkey. One is the army and the other is civil society. The Islamist AKP party of Turkey has relations with Israel, but this is not as strong as it was when seculars were in power. Turkey has loosened bilateral ties.
Israel may also take advantage of Azerbaijan’s territorial claims about Iran and this makes things dangerous.
What are the merits of these relations for Azerbaijan?
Technology, and using the powerful Israeli lobby in Washington. Economic development and investment by Israelis are also important for this country.
Azerbaijan and Israel will have extensive ties which call for further consideration by Iranians. The Israeli ambassador to Baku had previously stated that Azerbaijan is a development model. Azerbaijan is relatively developed in light industries. And there is only a 3-hour flight from Tel Aviv to Baku. Israel’s investment in Azerbaijan can incite anti-Iranian sentiments. Vafa Gholizadeh, a senior advisor to Azerbaijan’s diplomatic apparatus had once said that even running a factory which creates job for many can be an anti-Iranian propaganda.
The Azerbaijan-Israel Friendship Society has been founded in 2002 and it acts as an interest group which can improve bilateral ties. Israel and Azerbaijan cooperate on tourism, aerospace, computer technology and commerce. But it is their security and military collaborations which should worry Iran. The stronger these collaborations, the bigger the threat is for Iran’s national security.
How can Iran counter Israel’s influence in Azerbaijan?
Azerbaijan, Caucasia in general, is a part of our civilizational sphere. So we should adopt a rational policy, especially when it comes to Azerbaijan which enjoys civilizational, cultural and religious commonalities with Iran. Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf are Iran’s spheres of influence. We should establish equilibrium against other forces in these regions.
If you read Shimon Peres’ book ’The New Middle East’, you will see that he believes Israel should circumvent Arab states and establish ties with other Muslim countries. Arab, and not, Muslim countries are hostile towards Israel Peres believes. Central Asian and Caucasian countries are some favorite options for Israel in order to expand ties.
Peres’ visit to Azerbaijan is the realization of this theory, i.e. reinforcing relations with a Muslim (and Shiite) country like Azerbaijan to show that only Arab countries are against Israel.
Before his trip, the Israel president had an interview with Trend News in where he said Israel and Azerbaijan have many things in common. Peres pointed to Azerbaijan’s wealth of gas, the co-existence of Jews, Muslims and Christians, and Azerbaijan’s cultural background. Agriculture, water, health and high tech are four domains in which Azerbaijan and Israel are interested to cooperate according to Peres. Israel also needs Azerbaijan’s energy resources.
Why did Israel make this move? And how will Azerbaijan-Israel relations affect Iran?
To show that it has no problems with Muslim countries. It also wants to create a strategic alliance with Turkey and Azerbaijan. This is the most important thing which will cause problems for our national security.
Naturally relations between Israel –which is our enemy- and any other country will have impact on our foreign diplomacy.
Israel-Turkey relations did not affect Iran-Turkey relations considerably. Will Israel-Azerbaijan relations have any influence on Iran-Azerbaijan ties?
There are two different levels when we speak about Turkey. One is the army and the other is civil society. The Islamist AKP party of Turkey has relations with Israel, but this is not as strong as it was when seculars were in power. Turkey has loosened bilateral ties.
Israel may also take advantage of Azerbaijan’s territorial claims about Iran and this makes things dangerous.
What are the merits of these relations for Azerbaijan?
Technology, and using the powerful Israeli lobby in Washington. Economic development and investment by Israelis are also important for this country.
Azerbaijan and Israel will have extensive ties which call for further consideration by Iranians. The Israeli ambassador to Baku had previously stated that Azerbaijan is a development model. Azerbaijan is relatively developed in light industries. And there is only a 3-hour flight from Tel Aviv to Baku. Israel’s investment in Azerbaijan can incite anti-Iranian sentiments. Vafa Gholizadeh, a senior advisor to Azerbaijan’s diplomatic apparatus had once said that even running a factory which creates job for many can be an anti-Iranian propaganda.
The Azerbaijan-Israel Friendship Society has been founded in 2002 and it acts as an interest group which can improve bilateral ties. Israel and Azerbaijan cooperate on tourism, aerospace, computer technology and commerce. But it is their security and military collaborations which should worry Iran. The stronger these collaborations, the bigger the threat is for Iran’s national security.
How can Iran counter Israel’s influence in Azerbaijan?
Azerbaijan, Caucasia in general, is a part of our civilizational sphere. So we should adopt a rational policy, especially when it comes to Azerbaijan which enjoys civilizational, cultural and religious commonalities with Iran. Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf are Iran’s spheres of influence. We should establish equilibrium against other forces in these regions.