Lesser Caucasus
SR of Azerbaijan
Two figures stood behind a projector, observing the detailed map of northern Iran on the screen, with military positions and population centres clearly marked. The map was titled 'Operation Yazata', and laid out the groundwork for a theoretical liberation of Iranian Azerbaijan and the eighteen million Azeris within, a territory that would over double the territory of the Socialist Republic and a number that would triple its population, greatly boosting its strength and turning it into a significantly more powerful player in the region.
Unfortunately, it was power disparity that currently prevented the operation from being executed, they simply did not hav the manpower to mount an effective invasion and occupation, and could likely expect fierce resistance from the Iranian population. Thus it was necessary to pursue two paths to gain an advantage: firstly, Iran would have to be destabilised, its people set against the Islamic Republican System and the Azeri population in particular made to yearn for independence, and secondly, allies would have to be acquired for the grand task of toppling the Iranian regime and securing a military victory.
In search of these allies, the Revolutionary League was willing to negotiate with anyone who opposed the Ayatollahs, from the Saudis to the Israelis, and even the great capitalist foe in the west, the Americans. And now it seems that there was another potential friend (or more likely an ally-of-convenience) in the form of Khataiy, a small Arab state wedged between Turkey and Syria that was now making headlines for seizing passengers from an Iranian passenger plane on charges of terrorism, starting a spat with Tehran in the process. This surely presented an opportunity to recruit some new friends into the planned Anti-Tehran Alliance. Thus a message would be sent to Antakya, with a proposal contained within.
To: Khataiy Government
From: The Revolutionary People-Masses of Azerbaijan
Subject: Iran
Encryption: Qara Div
Brotherly Greetings,
We are of the understanding that your government is as a general rule opposed to the regime in Tehran, as demonstrated by the current situation with Flight 784. Our revolutionary entity is likewise in opposition to the Ayatollahs, and we believe that we could work together to try and dismantle the Islamic Republic, removing our mutual enemy. While we too may be socioeconomically opposed, espousing very different political and economic theories, we believe that these differences can be set aside in the face of a common enemy that poses a much greater threat. Consider this proposal carefully, we eagerly await your response.
Yours sincerely, Comrade-05, Commissar of National Defence
