Nardaran Events of the 2015 as an Attempt to Intervene Radical Circles of Iran in the Internal Policy of Azerbaijan Through Religious Groups

Abstract

In the article, the author analyzes the nature of the Nardaran events of 2015 in the general context of the attempts, which have been ongoing since the collapse of the USSR by some radical circles, to export the values and principles of the 1979 Islamic Iranian revolution to Azerbaijan. The author, on the example of numerous facts from the recent history of Azerbaijan, gives an overview of this policy of Iran’s radical circles in relation to Baku, pointing out two fundamental principles defining this line - the principle of exporting the Islamic revolution and the principle of forming the so-called Shiite strip, a geopolitical space with military-political dominance Tehran. A comparative analysis of Iranian religious policy and the socio-political and ideological sentiments of Azerbaijani society leads the author to the conclusion that secular values in Azerbaijan are strong enough and society as a whole does not see an alternative to a democratic and secular state. However, according to the author, the efforts to eliminate even that small social base conducive to the spread of radical elements should continue to be carried out by educating and resolving social issues.