Esteemed nations of the world and our esteemed people,
It is widely recognized that the global order is undergoing significant changes, leading to the formation of a new political landscape in recent years.
This evolving global order is also reshaping the geographical dynamics of our homeland. Situated at the crossroads of East and West, endowed with abundant resources, Azerbaijan has historically attracted the attention of both proximate and distant foreign powers. Unfortunately, these powers have consistently prioritized their interests and expansionist agendas, neglecting our national interests.
The primary reason for this predicament lies in our failure, as a united nation, to assert our national interests above all else and our inadequacy in formulating clear objectives in this regard. Consequently, we find ourselves vulnerable in regional dynamics, allowing external forces to dictate our fate.
We have witnessed this reality through the division of our motherland, Azerbaijan, and its prolonged occupation by foreign entities. As a nation, we have endured the bitter consequences and humiliation of this situation for centuries. As SARP, we believe it is imperative to learn from past mistakes and avoid repeating the errors of our ancestors.
Azerbaijanis must guide our nation through the transition to the new world order more effectively. The first step towards this goal is fostering national awakening and unity. For centuries, the Iranian state and its Persian leadership have sacrificed our nation’s interests in wars, disasters, and revolutions to pursue their agenda. Today, as tensions escalate, the Iranian regime may resort to all political means to sacrifice Azerbaijanis, using empty promises of nationalism to deceive our people. It is an undeniable reality that the Iranian regime will seek to escalate any conflict toward Azerbaijani lands, as it did during the Iran-Iraq war. Despite our resilience in this region for the past century, we have yet to reclaim our national rights on our ancestral lands, facing suppression and even being labelled as enemies for asserting our rights. Despite being a resilient, industrious, creative, and skilled nation, Azerbaijanis in Iran have been oppressed and deceived.
As the pressure from major foreign powers intensifies on the Iranian regime, Iranian statehood, and Iranian identity in the region, we as a nation must define and assert our place.
To this end, we declare:
1. Our nation will never align with the Iranian terrorist regime in conflicts involving Israel or any other wars aimed at the Iranian terrorist regime. South Azerbaijan is Not Iran.
South Azerbaijan is distinct from Iran, and we will align ourselves with all civil nations to ensure that any conflict remains outside the borders of South Azerbaijan.
2. The South Azerbaijani National Movement will exercise its right to self-determination and independence in our geography within the framework of the new world order. In the event of conflict within Iran, SARP, along with the Azerbaijani national movement, will swiftly move to establish the South Azerbaijani national state and Republic, safeguarding Azerbaijan’s historical territories. Every party respecting our national will shall be involved in agreements within the framework of our national interests.
3. The designation of Iran as a terrorist state is widely acknowledged globally, and our national movement openly recognizes this fact. In the event of regional conflict stemming from the policies of terrorism and occupation perpetuated by this regime, South Azerbaijanis will align themselves with the decisions of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the sole hope and state of 50 million Azerbaijanis.
4. SARP believes that establishing cooperatively beneficial alliances with regional powers opposing the Iranian regime is essential. This regime has inflicted centuries of suffering upon our nation, condemned our people to death, and deprived us of a prosperous life. The ACP seeks partnerships with entities respecting our national interests and aligned with our goals.
5. For the safety and security of the Azerbaijani nation, we will forcefully oppose the expansion of nuclear weapons and atomic bombs fueling terrorism in our region. Our primary objective will be to establish a new nation-state rooted in peace and justice, ending occupation and warfare.
6. As the new world order unfolds in our region, the forty million-strong community of South Azerbaijan must not be overlooked but regarded as respected participants in this journey. Peace, justice, and equality in the Middle East and the South Caucasus hinge upon the freedom and independence of the Azerbaijani nation.
SARP declares on behalf of the South Azerbaijani National Movement that fragmenting the region into small ethnic states and making promises to non-native peoples will never benefit regional stability. Restoring the Azerbaijan Republic, with its center in Tabriz, in South Azerbaijan, will embrace democratic values and achieve stability. This will create a foundation for a healthier, more secure, and prosperous future in the region.
With respect,
South Azerbaijan Republic Party (SARP)
Analytical Research Center
City of Tabriz