Dilshad Aliyarli – Voice of America – September 8, 2018
Voice of America: The U.S. sanctions against Iran have been reinstated. What are the primary concerns in the Iranian government and among Tehran officials regarding these sanctions?
Ahmad Hashemi: The primary concerns are, first and foremost, economic. As you know, especially in recent months, Iran's economic situation has deteriorated significantly. The Iranian rial has lost much of its value against the dollar. Unemployment has risen, leading to widespread public unrest and protests. The global media has been covering this extensively. These developments are of great concern to the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is why Supreme Leader Khamenei, who previously did not value the nuclear agreement, has now begun defending it and expressing concerns about the U.S.’s withdrawal from the deal.
Voice of America: Unlike the current administration, the previous administration under President Barack Obama pursued a different strategy toward Iran, focusing on improving relations with the Iranian people and creating an environment for Iran’s regime to change its behavior. However, many observers believe this did not lead to any behavioral changes in Tehran’s regime. What do you think? Could the current strategy of the Trump administration lead to behavioral changes in Iran’s leadership?
Ahmad Hashemi: I completely agree that the previous administration, despite granting numerous concessions, failed to alter Iran’s behavior. The financial resources Iran obtained were used to spread Shia influence in the region and engage in risky activities. Regarding the Trump administration, I am not entirely sure how successful it will be, but it has already achieved some results. Iran's economy is under severe strain, with significant challenges like currency devaluation and rising unemployment. Factories are shutting down, and strikes are happening. For example, Ark, a very old factory with a century-long history, has closed. All this is a result of the sanctions. Naturally, these sanctions will have a significant impact, but much depends on the international community's response to the Trump administration’s stance. For instance, the cooperation of China, Russia, and especially the European Union, will play a crucial role. If the EU cooperates with Washington, a lot can be achieved. In particular, extending sanctions to the oil, gas, and banking sectors will exert immense pressure on Iran’s economy and the Islamic Republic as a whole.
Voice of America: Mr. Hashemi, you worked in Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for many years, participated in high-level meetings, and attended behind-the-scenes negotiations. What are the opinions of Iranian diplomats regarding relations with the West, particularly the United States? Iran has been isolated for a long time. How do Iranian diplomats view these issues?
Ahmad Hashemi: There is sensitivity within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and not everyone is hired; there is a lengthy process to get a job. Despite this, Iranian diplomats, like the rest of Iranian society, hold diverse opinions. High-level diplomats face greater pressures, so they exercise more self-censorship. However, at lower levels, I can confidently say that most do not agree with or support the foreign policy and diplomacy of the Islamic Republic. I remember during the early days of the Syrian civil war, there were differing views and debates among diplomats. Many opposed Iran's policies in Syria, and some were even expelled because of their views, myself included. This was one reason for my departure.
Voice of America: You were also one of the few Azerbaijanis working in Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. What can you say about attitudes toward you, Azerbaijanis, and the Republic of Azerbaijan?
Ahmad Hashemi: Azerbaijanis are not very few, but they are not numerous either. However, certain conditions must be met for Azerbaijanis to be hired. For instance, they must accept principles like Shiaism, Persian nationalism, and the system of Velayat-e Faqih (Iran’s clerical political system). Displaying allegiance to these principles is crucial. Speaking about Azerbaijani culture, Turkic traditions, or heritage is not allowed. Candidates’ pasts are thoroughly investigated before they are accepted. Azerbaijanis are viewed as a security threat rather than as an ethnic minority. For example, in 2011, when Abdullah Gül visited Tabriz, I wasn’t there, but I was part of the Tehran segment of his visit. There was a noticeable tension among diplomats and officials, treating the visit as a security concern. Similarly, President Erdoğan’s potential visit to Tabriz was changed to Tehran, reflecting the view that Azerbaijanis pose a threat.
Voice of America: Mr. Hashemi, you closely follow developments in Iran. Since late last year and early this year, protests have erupted sporadically in Iran. Observers note that Azerbaijani Turks have not been very active in these demonstrations. Why do you think this is the case?
Ahmad Hashemi: First, I must say that Azerbaijanis are dissatisfied with the current situation and have expressed their grievances in various ways. They are unhappy with the Iranian and Persian-centric system. Tabriz has lost faith in Tehran. Tehran is not interested in addressing the demands of Azerbaijanis or fulfilling their expectations, which has led to a sense of estrangement. Since the 2009 Green Movement protests, Azerbaijanis have distanced themselves from such movements. Mir-Hossein Mousavi, an Azerbaijani by origin, did not advocate for Azerbaijani demands, which led to a lack of support for him. Since then, Tabriz and Azerbaijan have withdrawn from participating in Tehran-led protests and demonstrations. However, this does not mean Tabriz is content. Over the past century, Azerbaijan has felt neglected. This sentiment is evident in Tractor Sazi football matches, where slogans highlight unmet promises, such as education in the Turkish language and addressing Lake Urmia’s crisis. These unfulfilled demands have pushed Tabriz and Azerbaijan to step back from Iranian protests.
Link to the original interview in Turkish on the Azerbaijani section of Voice of America:
Əhməd Haşimi: Təbriz Tehrana inamı itirib