ARMENIAN-IRANIAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL REFLECTS POLITICAL COOPERATION.

Iran’s Minister of Culture and Islamic Orientation Seyed-Mustafa Mir-Salim opened in Yerevan the government-sponsored days of Iranian culture, amid rhetoric on both sides about a "common Armenian-Iranian history" and strengthening ties among the two peoples." Long-term cultural exchange programs were announced. (9)

The festival’s warm tone reflected the two countries’ current alignment against Azerbaijan and also against Turkish interests in the region. Iran is especially interested in weakening Azerbaijan lest it becomes a pole of attraction to Iran’s Azeri population settled compactly adjacent to Azerbaijan. Hence Islamic Iran incongruously supports Christian Armenia (and also Russia) against Muslim Azerbaijan.

Fighting in Tajikistan.