EXPERT: ECONOMIC JIHAD DECLARED BY IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER DESTINED FOR ARMENIA
Trend
May 13 2011
Azerbaijan
Iran occupies the third and fourth places in the world for oil and
gas resources, but in terms of GDP per capita it occupies almost the
200th position, Director of the Center for Political Innovation and
Technology, Political Scientist Mubariz Ahmedoglu told Trend. Those who
are familiar with the situation in Iran know that the Islamic Republic
has bluffed and already overstepped all proper boundaries, he added.
"The fact that Iran records a heavy socio-economic situation is
evidenced by the authorities' and civic actions. According to the
beliefs of the Muslim Jafari faith, spread in Iran and Azerbaijan,
the twelfth Imam is also a savior. According to such beliefs Imam
Mahdi Sahib as-Zaman will appear in the image of a savior when the
country oversteps all boundaries. The more injustice is done against
the people, the more they wait on Imam Mahdi. On this note, Bahaism
originated in Iran on just such a platform. Now most of the Iranian
population waits for the arrival of Imam Mahdi. In other words, people
are dissatisfied with their state and with the authorities," he said.
He said that religious leaders' actions also speak to the poverty
situation in the country.
"The authorities abolished privileges that have stood since the reign
of the Shah. Therefore, the religious leader has declared 2011 as the
Year of Economic Jihad. That is, strengthening the country's economy
has become a religious observance for Iran's Muslim," Ahmedoglu said.
Following the supreme religious leader's fatwa, the price for bread
and other essential goods has increased, tensions with the authorities
have peaked and Iran increased its economic support to Armenia.
"It was predicted that Iranian tourists visiting Armenia during
the Novruz celebrations will spend about $20 million. However,
the Armenian officials report that Iranians "poured" $40 million
into the Armenian budget. The Iranian side allocated a grant worth
$60 million for construction of the Tabriz-Yerevan Highway. Iran
has provided Armenia with a priority position for the organization
of economic and tourist activities in Kish. Based on the estimates,
Armenia's profit from economic and tourist activities in Iran will be
about $20 million. Iran provides Armenia with a profit of $200 million
under the 'Gas in Exchange of Power' project that will continue in
2011. Iran, which has connected Armenia with the World Ocean, undertook
an obligation to complete the project which is worth $4 billion. Also,
Iran will provide military assistance to Armenia," Ahmedoglu said.
He said that, supposedly, Iran will help Armenia strengthen the
occupied territories militarily.
"Because, although Armenia occupied the regions of Gubadli, Zangilan,
Jabrail and Fizuli over 17 years ago, it has not yet built engineering
defensive facilities there. On the one hand, this is associated with
Armenia's economic weakness, but on the other hand, Armenia has full
confidence in Iran. Armenia understands that Iran's hatred against
Azerbaijan is greater than Armenia's hatred against Azerbaijan. Due
to this fact, Iran allocated $40-$50 million to Armenia in 2010 and
the figure has reached $180-$200 million a year after the supreme
leader announced "economic jihad". So we can assume that "economic
jihad" is not intended for the Iranian people, but for the Armenia
which occupied Azerbaijan's lands," Ahmedoglu said.
Trend
May 13 2011
Azerbaijan
Iran occupies the third and fourth places in the world for oil and
gas resources, but in terms of GDP per capita it occupies almost the
200th position, Director of the Center for Political Innovation and
Technology, Political Scientist Mubariz Ahmedoglu told Trend. Those who
are familiar with the situation in Iran know that the Islamic Republic
has bluffed and already overstepped all proper boundaries, he added.
"The fact that Iran records a heavy socio-economic situation is
evidenced by the authorities' and civic actions. According to the
beliefs of the Muslim Jafari faith, spread in Iran and Azerbaijan,
the twelfth Imam is also a savior. According to such beliefs Imam
Mahdi Sahib as-Zaman will appear in the image of a savior when the
country oversteps all boundaries. The more injustice is done against
the people, the more they wait on Imam Mahdi. On this note, Bahaism
originated in Iran on just such a platform. Now most of the Iranian
population waits for the arrival of Imam Mahdi. In other words, people
are dissatisfied with their state and with the authorities," he said.
He said that religious leaders' actions also speak to the poverty
situation in the country.
"The authorities abolished privileges that have stood since the reign
of the Shah. Therefore, the religious leader has declared 2011 as the
Year of Economic Jihad. That is, strengthening the country's economy
has become a religious observance for Iran's Muslim," Ahmedoglu said.
Following the supreme religious leader's fatwa, the price for bread
and other essential goods has increased, tensions with the authorities
have peaked and Iran increased its economic support to Armenia.
"It was predicted that Iranian tourists visiting Armenia during
the Novruz celebrations will spend about $20 million. However,
the Armenian officials report that Iranians "poured" $40 million
into the Armenian budget. The Iranian side allocated a grant worth
$60 million for construction of the Tabriz-Yerevan Highway. Iran
has provided Armenia with a priority position for the organization
of economic and tourist activities in Kish. Based on the estimates,
Armenia's profit from economic and tourist activities in Iran will be
about $20 million. Iran provides Armenia with a profit of $200 million
under the 'Gas in Exchange of Power' project that will continue in
2011. Iran, which has connected Armenia with the World Ocean, undertook
an obligation to complete the project which is worth $4 billion. Also,
Iran will provide military assistance to Armenia," Ahmedoglu said.
He said that, supposedly, Iran will help Armenia strengthen the
occupied territories militarily.
"Because, although Armenia occupied the regions of Gubadli, Zangilan,
Jabrail and Fizuli over 17 years ago, it has not yet built engineering
defensive facilities there. On the one hand, this is associated with
Armenia's economic weakness, but on the other hand, Armenia has full
confidence in Iran. Armenia understands that Iran's hatred against
Azerbaijan is greater than Armenia's hatred against Azerbaijan. Due
to this fact, Iran allocated $40-$50 million to Armenia in 2010 and
the figure has reached $180-$200 million a year after the supreme
leader announced "economic jihad". So we can assume that "economic
jihad" is not intended for the Iranian people, but for the Armenia
which occupied Azerbaijan's lands," Ahmedoglu said.