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Dr. Mohammad Hassan Habibullah Zadeh – Güney Kafkasya’da Güvenlik Konferansı Konuşması

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

Security in the South Caucasus and the Necessity of Establishing an Indigenous Regional Order

Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Ambassadors, Esteemed Professors, Researchers, and Honored Experts,

At the outset, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Mr. Doğu Perinçek, Ms. Şule Perinçek, and Professor Özcan Yeniçeri.

Allow me to begin my remarks from a point that is essential for understanding the current security situation in our region. Recent developments in the geopolitical environment surrounding the Islamic Republic of Iran—particularly the aggression carried out by the United States and the Israeli terrorist regime against Iran—should not be viewed merely as isolated or tactical incidents. Rather, they must be analyzed within the broader structural context of a reconfiguration of the balance of power, increased extra-regional interventionism, and ongoing efforts to redefine the security order in West Asia and its surrounding regions.

These developments, beyond their military dimension, carry profound political and geopolitical consequences and indicate that the regional security environment has entered a new phase—one in which multi-layered and hybrid instruments of pressure are increasingly replacing traditional models of deterrence. In such a context, the concept of “spillover insecurity” becomes particularly significant; that is, instability in one part of the surrounding geography rapidly spreads to other areas.

Within this framework, the South Caucasus, as part of Iran’s immediate geopolitical environment, is directly affected by these developments. This region cannot be analyzed in isolation from broader dynamics in the Middle East and the strategic competition among major powers, as the security and geopolitical linkages between these arenas are deep and structural.

From the perspective of the Islamic Republic of Iran, one of the fundamental challenges in this region lies in the dominance of externally driven approaches to security. In many existing analyses and arrangements, the security of the South Caucasus is defined not by the genuine needs and priorities of regional states, but by the considerations of external actors. This situation—what may be described as “externally imposed security”— ultimately leads to dependency and the persistence of instability, as the interests of outside powers do not necessarily align with the long-term interests of the region.

In response to this situation, the Islamic Republic of Iran emphasizes a fundamental principle: opposition to any change in internationally recognized borders and opposition to any alteration of the geopolitical configuration of the South Caucasus. This is not merely a political stance, but a strategic guideline aimed at preserving regional stability. Historical experience has shown that changes in borders or the imposition of new geopolitical arrangements often lead to prolonged tensions and new cycles of insecurity.

Within this framework, Iran has consistently underscored the importance of respecting the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of all states as a cornerstone of its policy toward the South Caucasus. From this perspective, any attempt to alter the region’s geopolitics—whether through imposed corridors or externally driven security arrangements—risks disrupting the delicate balance of the region.

Alongside these principles, Iran has repeatedly expressed its readiness to engage in constructive cooperation with neighboring countries in order to strengthen collective security and expand economic and transit cooperation. From Iran’s viewpoint, security is a collective, endogenous, and responsibility-based process, achievable only through dialogue, cooperation, and trust-building among regional actors.

Distinguished participants,

Within this context, one of the most important regional initiatives that can contribute to the realization of indigenous security in the South Caucasus is the 3+3 Platform—a framework that has emerged in recent years as one of the most significant proposals for managing regional issues without the involvement of extra-regional actors.

The importance of this platform became more evident with the convening of the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the 3+3 Platform in Tehran, which many analysts consider a turning point in institutionalizing regional dialogue and strengthening the concept of “security from within the region.”

The guiding principles of the 3+3 Platform emphasize respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, the peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue, and the promotion of economic and transit cooperation.

From an analytical perspective, the 3+3 Platform can be seen as an effort to transition from “externally imposed security” to “endogenous security-building.” In this regard, it serves several strategic functions: first, it provides a continuous platform for political dialogue, helping to reduce misunderstandings and manage crises; second, it enhances the region’s strategic autonomy by reducing reliance on external mediation and intervention; and third, it promotes economic cooperation—particularly in transit and energy corridors—which can act as a stabilizing factor against political tensions.

From the perspective of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the 3+3 Platform is not merely a diplomatic initiative, but part of a broader strategy aimed at consolidating indigenous security, reducing external interference, and fostering sustainable stability in the South Caucasus. The continuation and strengthening of this mechanism can gradually pave the way for a more balanced regional order based on genuine cooperation among the countries of the region.

In conclusion, the concept of “indigenous regional security” in Iran’s strategic outlook is based on the principle that lasting stability can only be achieved when security is generated from within the region and managed by its own actors. While the presence of extra-regional powers may serve as a balancing factor in the short term, in the long run it often intensifies rivalries and complicates crises.

Therefore, the South Caucasus today faces a strategic choice:

either to continue along a path shaped by external intervention and imposed security arrangements, or to move toward a model based on regional cooperation and endogenous security. Historical experience and empirical realities clearly show that only the latter path can ensure sustainable stability.

From the perspective of the Islamic Republic of Iran, this is not merely a preferable option, but a strategic necessity for the future of the region.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Security is not an imported commodity; rather, it is an endogenous, gradual process built upon mutual trust. If the South Caucasus can move beyond imposed rivalries and embrace regional cooperation, it has the potential to transform from a zone of tension into a model of convergence and lasting stability.

Thank you for your attention.