IRAN AND CENTRAL ASIA: COMPARATIVE-POLITICAL ANALYSIS OF INTERESTS

Аннотация

This article is dedicated to comparative-political analysis of interests between Iran and Central Asian countries. It is obviously seen that Iran had made attempts in its foreign policy to set up regionalist agenda in CA and develop relations, mainly concentrated in common cultural and economic prospects. Moreover, from Iran’s perspective, the lever of counteraction of avoiding the US-led containment system is to promote bilateral and multilateral relations with CA, and this is strengthened by coming up with diverse efficacious projects including oil pipeline of Kazakhstan- Turkmenistan- Iran and railway communication. It also covers Iran’s interactions with regional associations, such as SCO with the intention of enhancing closer ties with the Commonwealth of Independent States and obtaining the support of China and Kazakhstan. Furthermore, higher level of relationship between these countries can be elucidated by being in ethno-cultural proximity, particularly Iran and Tajikistan and presence of bilateral economic and cultural interests. To clarify, it is observed in Iran’s political activity that Tajikistan should act as a part of “Aryan unity” concept. The authors consider that Iran forms a “gateway” for CA to the World Ocean, at the same time it assists them to reach world markets by the means of Iran’s shortest routes. In this analytic network, in the process of organizing regional integration it should be taken into consideration the perceptible role of China. Precisely, Chinese strategy “One Belt, One Road” which is described as a modern incarnation of the Silk Road incorporates Iran and Central Asia. In this partnership, Iran takes on a prominent role in being transit. Briefly, Iran excluded a prospect of export of Islamic revolution to the region so that Iran can evade short-sightedness of relationship remaining “multivectored" foreign policy and an equally profitable method of treatment with Central Asian countries.