Iran's highest-ranking political figure voices disapproval towards Iran-Russia ties.
A traditional Iranian high-ranking politician, known for his conservative views, openly criticizes his nation's relations with Russia. This critique comes in light of fresh sanctions and diplomatic strife. In a post on X platform, Ali Motahari, a former parliament vice-president, highlights the fresh penalties introduced by Germany, France, and the UK, due to Iran supplying ballistic missiles to Russia.
Simultaneously, Motahari voiced concerns over the diplomatic disagreements with Russia's Caucasus policy. Iran's Foreign Ministry adamantly denies these missile shipping allegations.
Recently, a proposition has stirred up Iran, potentially altering Caucasus' geopolitics. Iran shares borders with Armenia, the core of Azerbaijan, and Nakhichevan, an autonomous region belonging to Azerbaijan, in the northwest. There's been a proposal by Russia to connect these two parts of Azerbaijan through a corridor. Tehran worries that this could jeopardize its strategically important route to Armenia. This corridor, known as the Sangachal corridor, would also establish a direct connection between Azerbaijan and Turkey.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is experiencing heightened political isolation because of its debatable nuclear program, human rights issues, and its Middle East policy. Consequently, its leadership has bolstered ties with Russia and China. The Islamic Republic is now a part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and has been associated with the BRICS nations since the start of the year.
However, this strategy also draws criticism within Iran. Many citizens advocate for improved relations with the West. Even conservative voices criticize the shift towards the East.
Ali Motahari, in addition to criticizing the fresh sanctions and diplomatic strife in Iran's Relations with Russia, also raised concerns about the potential impact of Russia's Caucasus policy on Iran's connections to Armenia. The proposed Russian corridor through Azerbaijan could pose a threat to Iran's strategically significant route to Armenia, causing unease in Tehran.
