Expert: 'South Azerbaijan may become independent as a result of protests in Iran' - OPINION

If the protests become widespread in Iran and they will be successful, South Azerbaijan can become independent, doctor of political sciences Prof.Sabir Mammadli told Report.

He said even international situation makes it possible.

According to the expert, the historical victory achieved in the Second Karabakh War was expected to inspire the compatriots in South Azerbaijan: "Iran's continuous support for Armenia for 30 years seriously worried our compatriots there and the Turkic world. Iran acts contrary to principles of good neighborship and Islam. In this regard, the current incidents were expected. Official Tehran makes a lot of mistakes. Strengthening relations with Armenia irritated our southern compatriots. Also, the fact that Iran conducted military exercises along the Araz river was another serious mistake this state made. Thus, the mullah's regime crossed all 'red lines.' The successive visits of the defense ministers of Israel and Turkiye to our country showed that friendly and allied countries are also worried about Iran's latest actions. The arrival of defense ministers to Azerbaijan was, of course, a serious message to Iran."

The political reviewer said that the process was pushed further by the killing of a young woman in Iran for 'unproper wearing of hijab': "Protests continue in big cities. The national liberation movement is clearly manifesting itself. The process is successful. The slogans chanted by our southern compatriots show that the actions have taken a nationwide shape. International power centers are closely watching these processes. For example, US President Joe Biden emphasized that Iran will be free. In my opinion, this statement is no accident. Iran has drove itself into a deadend."

Mammadli said that Iran's withdrawal from the nuclear agreement angered the US and Israel even more: "The training of our Special Forces on our southern border inspires our southern compatriots even more. I think the scale of protests in Iran will increase even more. It is already felt that the protests are organized. The motive of the rallies and the fact that the actions are mostly held at night indicate it. The relations of our compatriots abroad also manifest the fact that the movement will not end soon but will gradually strengthen. The current protests are reminiscent of 'color revolutions'."