The Role of Iran in the South Caucasus

Author(s): Tornike Sharashenidze
Editor(s): Iris Kempe, Matthias Neumann, Robert Orttung, Jeronim Perovic, Lili Di Puppo
Series: Caucasus Analytical Digest (CAD)
Issue: 30
Pages: 2-4
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich; Resource Security Institute (RSI), Arlington; Heinrich Böll Foundation, Tbilisi; Research Centre for East European Studies, University of Bremen
Publication Year: 2011

Iran's policy in the South Caucasus is shaped by its desire to counter threats from regional and outside powers (US, Russia, Turkey), while expanding its influence in the region. Iran unexpectedly backed Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict as a way to balance against Turkey and Azeri irredentist claims inside Iran itself. Georgia's historic relationship with Iran ultimately pushed Georgia closer to Russia, but now Iran has little influence in Georgia. Azerbaijan is the key concern in the region for Iran because it is a potential rival as a Shia-dominated country and an energy power.

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