– How do you look at the current situation in Iran?
- The events taking place in Iran are aimed towards splitting the reigning country of the region. The West, especially the U.S., worries over the fact that Iran may create a nuclear weapon in the future and they will no longer be able to manipulate the country. However Iran, which has a history of three centuries with a large state structure, can become manipulative even with the nuclear weapon more than other countries with nuclear weapons, such as Pakistan. Even if Iran gets control of the nuclear weapon, there will be balance in the region and many issues will be solved peacefully. But we’re not talking about the nuclear weapon for the time being, rather using nuclear energy the best way possible. The only issue here is the enrichment of uranium, which Iran wants to use in the country. As I already mentioned, there are some countries in the West and the region that are trying to split Iran and that can be seen by the inter-ethnic conflicts and internal issues. But Iran is mono-ethnic, in contrast to people’s opinion that the country is multi-ethnic. Iran has never been part of any other nation and that is what has helped the country survive for 2600 years. Not one nation has the moral or legal right to try to become an independent state in Iran. So, I must say that the attempts to create an inter-ethnic conflict situation are unsuccessful. Besides that, today, there is no alternative to the theocratic regime of Iran. Believe me when I say that the only alternative to the theocratic regime is the split of Iran.
– Why are great powers of the world interested in splitting Iran? What danger do they see?
– The U.S. and the West, especially Israel, want to see Iran make the transition from the current theocratic regime to a more “democratic” one. I’m not even talking about the consequences of that. That is the main thing they are after. It would be naïve to think that the West has nothing to gain by instilling democratic values in Iran because there are many “satellite” countries in the West, including Saudi Arabia, which are not only undemocratic, but rather are similar to Middle Age dictatorships with non-advanced legal and social norms. It’s clear that we are dealing with political aims here.
– You mentioned that Iran can be manipulated with its nuclear weapon resources. What are the guarantees that the nuclear weapons will be used for establishing peace?
– Of course, as I already mentioned, Iran still doesn’t have the nuclear weapons and I don’t know whether or not it will have them. But since I am acquainted with Iran’s state apparatus, I must say that it is multi-layered and consists of opposite sides. Whether it’s the nuclear weapon or other important issues, they go through a process. Iran is unlike Pakistan or Korea where one person or a group of people can make one decision. So, if Iran ever creates a nuclear weapon, that’s only going to hurt Russia and the U.S.
– Aren’t the relations between Iran and the Middle Eastern countries a result of the terrorist attacks that have taken place until now? Isn’t the West doing this for its own security?
- The West, especially the U.S., has supported the terrorist attacks more than any other country. Back in the 20th century, the West once again played a major role in the formation of the Middle Eastern Talib terrorists. There has never been a Muslim terrorist group; of course, there was a type of movement, but that was aimed towards the Muslims and especially the Shiites. The break-up of the Muslim fundamentalism was thanks to the West. It’s obvious that the U.S. had something to do with Bin Laden and the formation of the Talibs. We can’t call the Islamic terrorism anti-Christian; we can even see some pro-Christian elements (if we look at it as a global movement). Islam has never been in favor of terrorism and I must say that this is one of the elements of the political arsenal of the West, which was adopted by the Muslims during the past millennium. Today, there are Christian terrorist groups, which are more cruel and inhumane than the Islam groups.
- How will the Iranian issue reflect upon Armenia?
– Armenians must think about how these developments (leaving aside Iran’s real interests) will benefit Armenia. I don’t think that there is any normal person in Armenia, whether he is a clever political figure, a pro-Eastern “liberal” or “Eastern”, who will like this outlook. It’s very clear that this kind of politics, God forbid, will first hurt Armenian national security.
– In your opinion, how should Armenian authorities treat Iran? After all, no matter what, we can’t consider Iran’s current regime as democratic.
- First of all, democracy in itself is conditional. Each country has its characteristics, national customs and world outlook. The current Iranian regime is supported by a majority of Iranians So, the democracy model applied in the country is the optimal version for the time being. The last presidential elections are proof of that. Armenian political figures must understand that while Armenia continues to be a small and unstable country, almost in a state of war with two neighboring countries and has unstable relations with the third, it doesn’t have the right to get involved in the global processes of the West. The application of Western democracy models must have something to do with the given countries’ and territories’ national, cultural and world outlook substrates. What I’m trying to say is that the Armenian authorities must first worry over the internal politics of Armenia and strengthening democracy in the country. It is not only ridiculous to see the Armenian “liberal” political figures making the same evaluations made for different countries, but also, in some cases, it may create problems for Armenian foreign politics. After all, having Western values doesn’t mean defending what’s being done purposely by the West. It’s clear as to why the “liberals” are repeating what the U.S. State Department says-in order to have a pro-Western image and continue getting aid. So, there is no other essential issue for Armenia than strengthening of democracy. Democracy is the main component for Armenia’s national security.