Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 25 / Trend E. Mehdiyev /
An Azerbaijani political analyst thinks it is no coincidence that a major change in Armenia's position to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has coincided with increased Western pressure on Iran.
Iran's weakening position globally forces Armenia to withdraw grom its position on Nagorno-Karabakh, Mubariz Ahmadoglu, the director of the Center for Political Innovations and Technologies, said at a briefing today.
"No matter who blames Azerbaijani society for the lack of progress in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, Iran has been a source of support for Armenia's destructive position for at least the last two years," he said.
He said Tehran supports Yerevan, but Iran's support does not inspire confidence in Armenia due to its weakening position.
"Armenia relied on the U.S, Russia and France in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," he said. "Now Armenia cannot rely on these three countries as a result of the policy pursued by Azerbaijan. Iran cannot support Armenia."
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.