The South Caucasus, as one of the most sensitive geopolitical regions, has witnessed profound social and economic conflicts between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia over recent decades. These conflicts, rooted in the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, reached a critical turning point during the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War in 2020, significantly reshaping the military and security dynamics of the region. The main objective of this study is to analyze the role of social and economic conflicts in shaping the military thought and defensive strategies of Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as to examine the implications of these developments for the Islamic Republic of Iran.
This research adopts a qualitative approach and employs a descriptive–analytical method. Data were collected and analyzed from documents, library resources, and credible international reports. The findings indicate that in Azerbaijan, social challenges combined with the utilization of oil revenues led to military modernization and a technology-oriented approach. In contrast, Armenia, constrained by economic limitations, emphasized popular mobilization and traditional defense strategies. Armenia’s defeat in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War prompted a reassessment of its defense structure and a growing inclination toward modern military technologies. These developments have resulted in increased instability along Iran’s northwestern borders, the active involvement of external actors, and heightened threats to Iran’s geopolitical interests, particularly through the Zangezur Corridor. The results underscore the necessity for revising Iran’s defense and security strategies and enhancing the country’s technological and intelligence capabilities.