Iran Will Not Clash with NATO's 3rd Army Due to Armenia, Says Former Prime Minister's Advisor

Iran will not engage in a confrontation with Turkey because of Armenia. This was stated by Arsen Gasparyan, the former chief advisor to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, in an interview with Sputnik Armenia.

The Iranian authorities have repeatedly declared that changes in borders in the region are a "red line" for Tehran. On October 1, during a meeting with Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan, Ali Akbar Ahmadian, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, remarked that any geopolitical changes in the region would lead to instability and deepen the crisis.

According to Gasparyan, Tehran has already taken a significant step by opening a consulate in Kapan. However, he doubts that any military intervention can be expected in the face of Turkish-Azerbaijani aggression. "All the statements about 'red lines' made by the Iranian side remain just words. I do not believe that Iran will engage in military actions against Turkey because of Armenian territory. They will again limit themselves to statements," Gasparyan emphasized.

He noted that it is out of the question that Tehran would start a war with NATO's second-largest army.

Gasparyan also commented on the changes in Turkey's rhetoric regarding the road from Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan. "At this stage, various statements can be made, primarily by Turkey, which is conducting brilliant diplomacy. They have the option through Armenia mentioned in the document of November 9, but the word 'corridor' is not there. It is about the opening of communications, which, according to the document, should be followed by Russian FSB border guards," said Gasparyan.

Now, according to the former prime minister's advisor, Turkey and Azerbaijan are considering a second option through Iran, but it must be taken into account that in the Shushi Declaration signed by Ankara and Baku, they mention the so-called 'Zangezur Corridor.' Thus, the two countries are marking a 'unit' in their contract that is on the territory of another country.

Moreover, at the recent meeting of the Turkic States Organization, Armenia faced yet another diplomatic failure, as members of the CSTO and EAEU, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, effectively accepted the wording related to Armenia's sovereign territory along with Turkey and Azerbaijan.

"All of this speaks to the fact that Baku's and Ankara's plans have not changed. They may discuss other projects, consider them with Iran. This is diplomatic flexibility to understand which option is more advantageous," Gasparyan stated.

On September 26, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Ankara would do everything possible for the rapid opening of the so-called 'Zangezur Corridor.' At the same time, he noted that if Armenia did not participate in this project, the route could pass through Iranian territory.