The protests that have taken place in Iran in recent days have now moved beyond the framework of purely socio-economic discontent and have become an indicator of deeper political and structural problems. The growing distrust between the authorities and society, problems in governance, and long-accumulated social tension have dragged the country into a state of continuous crisis.
In this context, the fate of our compatriots living in Iran, and the issue of independence, also come to the fore.
In a statement to Modern.az, People's Poet and former MP Sabir Rustamkhanli noted that against the backdrop of ongoing protests in Iran, the specific target and main driving force of this process have not yet been clearly visible:
“That is, the issue is not only about internal processes but also about events occurring in the context of global economic relations and Iran's relations with various states, including European countries.
However, one important point should not be overlooked here. As the world press has also reported, the core of the process is the people's internal discontent. This discontent has always existed in Iran. There are national grievances against the Persian-centric model of governance, as well as serious problems in the economic and human rights spheres. At the same time, continuous tension is observed in the Iranian government's relations with the civilized world. Furthermore, environmental issues – particularly the artificial drying up of water basins and lakes, including Lake Urmia – are considered a major disaster, and the people have been protesting for a long time due to this reason.
At the current stage, relatively more people are participating in the protests. Nevertheless, it should be noted again that various ethnic and political groups exist in Iran, and each has different forms of protest and demands. Some Persian groups, including those dissatisfied with the Mullah regime, participate in demonstrations with symbols and flags of Reza Pahlavi. However, the overall picture indicates that a large part of the population does not accept the current government.”
S. Rustamkhanli stated that the fragmented and divergent nature of this process indicates that intense clashes are occurring and human casualties are increasing:
“It is reported that there are dead and injured on both sides – among the people as well as the government forces.
Alongside this, it is presumed that interested and external forces also play a role here. It is claimed that there are groups exploiting the discontent, providing financial support, facilitating the acquisition of weapons, and promoting terrorist activities.
At the same time, it is also clear that foreign intervention could have a counterproductive effect within Iran. Should any overt intervention occur, it could unite the various peoples and opposition forces living within the country under the guise of “civic interests.” For this very reason, according to some reports, even the Israeli side has sent messages to the US indicating that intervention is not advisable. Experience shows that during foreign intervention, the opposition recedes into the background.”
The former MP added that in such circumstances, the position of Azerbaijani society, and particularly our compatriots living in South Azerbaijan, is also in focus:
“Azerbaijani Turks openly express their positions with their slogans and declare their stance towards the Mullah regime. Azerbaijan's interests, however, are different and are evaluated within a broader strategic framework.
If this process continues for a long time, if the wave of ethnic protests expands, and if a risk of internal fragmentation arises in Iran, Azerbaijan can determine its position based on its historical experience. In such a case, South Azerbaijan could exercise its right to self-determination. However, considering external factors and the potential for bloodshed, this scenario is not considered desirable, and Azerbaijan approaches these processes in the south with extreme caution.”
He also emphasized that the issue of our compatriots living in Iran, and simultaneously the position of our compatriots regarding the issue of independence, is not new and has been raised repeatedly:
“If we look at history, forces that rose up to fight for independence have always been deceived by foreign powers. Neither European countries nor other international powers have shown a sincere stance towards Azerbaijani Turks, whether during the Shah's regime or the Mullah government.
After the Second World War, during the period when the UN was established, although the issue of South Azerbaijan was one of the first topics discussed, the people's voice of protest did not receive due attention. The fate of thousands of our compatriots was ignored in the name of international interests. Therefore, these experiences must be taken into account.
Precisely for this reason, Azerbaijan already possesses sufficient political and historical experience. Today – if the people of Azerbaijan rise up for their independence and freedom, they will rise up as the owners of the property and wealth lost in Iran over many years,” S. Rustamkhanli concluded.
