Iran careful about stepping in between Armenia and Azerbaijan

 Since the trouble started brewing between Armenia and Azerbaijan, a lot of countries have tried meddling in between the two countries to solve the issue but as soon as the tensions escalated, it was only a few countries that tried diffusing the fire. Turkey, France, Russia and Germany have indirectly tried to meddle in the situation.

But among these countries, Iran seemed to be missing. Iran is one the neighbors of these countries, and holds the power to mediate between the two countries at war. But it has been missing from the scene for the longest time. Only this week, the country offered to mediate. Still, there is a problem. To mediate or promote neutral peace dialogues, a country that is involved in the matter is required and Iran, by no means, is that third party.

Iran is also scared about being unintentionally involved in the tussle as one of the ministers of the country warned the two nations that should the fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh spread to Iranian soil, his country would react. Iran’s Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli has made it clear that  if the situation did not improve, “we will take appropriate measures if necessary.”

This move by Iran has come after a missile from the combat zone hit a village in the border region in the northwest of Iran last week. It was only this time when the country decided to get involved in the matter and before this, it was keeping things to itself.

Iran wants to save its soil from any conflict that could portray the country in a bad light. The country is home to nationals from both the countries. Though, Armenians are comparatively less in population which is nearly 100,000 people, ‘Azeri Turks’ are in huge numbers.  About 15 million of the nationals identify themselves as this community.

Tehran is viewing the possibility of its involvement from a distance because it serves ties with Turkey as well as Russia. Russia on one hand can be a potential arm supplier while Ankara is its partner in opposing the existence of Israel. In this war, Russia has sided with Armenia while Azerbaijan has reportedly been getting supply from the Ankara to fight war.

This is a tricky situation from Iran to choose sides as both the countries involved in the matter have different interests and Iran is a common ally.