AZE.US
Iran has endured centuries of wars, invasions and political upheavals, yet the state continues to persist. According to prominent Azerbaijani lawyer Akram Hasanov, the explanation lies in the country’s deep civilizational foundations.
Commenting on the historical resilience of Iran, Hasanov noted that only a few ancient civilizational states have managed to survive into the modern era. Among them, he said, are China and Iran.
“These states developed strong traditions of governance, culture and knowledge that allowed them to absorb external shocks and even assimilate many of their conquerors,” he said.
Conquerors often became part of the system
Throughout history, Iran has repeatedly faced invasions that appeared capable of destroying the state.
The Achaemenid Empire was defeated by the Greeks, the Sassanid state collapsed under Arab conquest, and later the region came under the rule of Turkic and Mongol dynasties. However, over time many of those ruling elites gradually integrated into the political and cultural environment of Iran.
Hasanov noted that these historical processes often led to the “Iranization” of conquerors rather than the disappearance of the Iranian state.
One of the darkest periods in the 18th century
Iran also faced near collapse in the early eighteenth century when the Safavid state was devastated by simultaneous invasions from multiple directions.
Afghan forces advanced from the east, Ottoman armies attacked from the west, and Russian influence increased in the north. Despite the destruction, the Persian ruler Nader Shah eventually expelled the invading forces and rebuilt Iran as a powerful regional empire.
Regimes may change, but the state remains
According to Hasanov, political regimes in Iran may come and go, but the state itself has historically demonstrated remarkable continuity.
At the same time, he said Azerbaijan’s relationship with Iran has always been complicated by history and geopolitics.
“Iran will probably never become our close ally because it traditionally views Azerbaijan as part of its historical sphere. But that does not mean the two countries must be enemies,” Hasanov said.
Pragmatism in relations with neighbors
The Azerbaijani lawyer stressed that Azerbaijan should pursue pragmatic relations with all neighboring states.
“Even if deep friendship is unlikely, maintaining stable and constructive neighborly relations is essential,” he added.