An adviser to Iran`s Supreme Leader criticized Pashinyan`s policies in the South Caucasus.

ArmInfo.  Advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Akbar Velayati warned the US against crossing Iran's "red lines" on its border, including with Armenia, and promised to "break its legs" if this happens.

In an article in the Ettelaat newspaper, Velayati touched on the history of Armenian-Iranian relations and emphasized that in the long history of bilateral relations, such anomalies have not been observed for more than two thousand years, beginning with the Parthian era.

The Iranian politician admitted that he has never seen any dark spots in his research into relations between the two countries. He recalled that after the signing of the Treaty of Turkmenchay, which resulted in Armenia's separation from Iran and its becoming part of Russia, Iran has never threatened its independence or its people. He added that relations between Armenia and Iran have always been friendly.

He then touched on the so-called Velvet Revolution in Armenia and the ouster of the "Armenian government, which has close ties to Moscow." "One of the pernicious actions of Nikol Pashinyan's new government has been the escalation of the situation between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which has now worsened more than ever. At the same time, Pashinyan's actions in recent years have led to no result other than division and problems for Armenia," Velayati noted.

According to him, the series of negative actions taken by Pashinyan against the interests of the Armenian people can be summed up in one word: increasing pandering to the actions of the West. "Especially France, America, and England in their desire to preserve a liberal democratic regime that is neither liberalism nor democracy." "Pashinyan's behavior, given the complex history of the South Caucasus, opens a new chapter of hostility and tension in the region," the Iranian politician asserted.

Velayati expressed confidence that Pashinyan has been in close contact and open dialogue with all interested parties seeking to maintain or undermine security for over eight years.

The Iranian politician then touched on relations between the countries of the region and pointed to the instability and unpredictability of Pashinyan's relations with Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey, and, possibly, in the future, Georgia. He criticized the approval of the "baseless and ill-considered proposal of the man with a thousand faces (Trump) to rename the Zangezur Corridor the 'Trump Route'." or TRIPP."

"In two separate meetings with the Deputy Foreign Minister of that country, who came to Tehran, and the Armenian Ambassador to Tehran, I clearly told them that the Islamic Republic of Iran is aware of Russia's problems with Ukraine. However, Armenia may be mistaken in thinking that because Russia is involved in the war in Ukraine, it cares less about the security of the South Caucasus," he noted. Velayati emphasized that Iran, with or without Russia, considers itself responsible for ensuring the security of the South Caucasus, as the Caucasus has always been a security buffer for Iran, up to Derbent in Dagestan.

The politician also noted that in June 2023, during separate meetings with the presidents of Russia and Turkey, the Iranian side made it clear that Tehran opposes the creation of the "Zangezur Corridor." "The strategic statements of Martyr Imam Qudsullah Nafs-e-Zakiyya on foreign policy and important national issues are a red line for the Islamic Republic of Iran. I clearly told the Armenian Ambassador: if Trump and his allies want to cross this Iranian red line, we will break their legs. Late last week, the Armenian parliament approved the construction of this corridor. What does this mean?! This fruitless work of Nikol Pashinyan and his followers is an act that will truly disgrace the honorable nation with a moderate and wise political history of Armenia," the adviser to the Supreme Leader of Iran concluded.