Iranian Advisor Reveals Intentions Behind Desire to Connect Nakhchivan to Azerbaijan

The desire to connect Nakhchivan to the Republic of Azerbaijan stems from the intention to divide Armenia into two parts. This was stated by Ali Akbar Velayati, senior advisor on international affairs to Islamic Revolution leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, in an interview with Tehran Times.

He noted that the intentions behind Azerbaijan's desire include the following: "First, to divide Armenia into two parts; second, to separate Iran and Armenia by cutting the ties that have existed since the era of the Achaemenid and Parthian empires; third, it will limit Iran's contact with the outside world.

Iran’s neighboring countries will reduce from 15 to 14, and the Islamic Republic of Iran's free connection with the North Caucasus, Russia, and the European continent will be cut off," he said to Tehran Times.

Velayati also pointed out that any change in regional borders would lead to long-term tension.