Iranian expert highlights Armenia’s ties with Arab world in countering Azeri propaganda

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. Iranian researcher Ehsan Movahedian has highlighted Armenia’s contacts with the Arab world from the security and political perspectives. 

Ehsan Movahedian, international relations specialist, lecturer and Caucasus expert at the Tehran ATU University told Armenpress that through contacts with the Arab world, Armenia can withstand Azerbaijan’s anti-Armenian propaganda in the Arab world itself. 

“When you expand your cooperation with the Arab world, by doing so you can withstand Baku’s propaganda generated against you in the Arab world,” the Iranian expert said, speaking about the role and importance of cooperation between Armenia and Arab countries. “You can withstand this kind of propaganda also through Iran, first of all in the economy sector, then in the political and security sectors, and through working with other means.” Movahedian attached importance to Armenia’s recognition of the State of Palestine. He said Yerevan’s recognition of Palestine was a very important step and gesture, which was widely covered by Iranian and Arab media. 

Speaking about the Iran-Azerbaijan relations and the role of the Israeli factor in these ties, the Iranian analyst said Tehran is very well aware of the ties and level of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Israel. 

“It’s that Azerbaijan is a neighboring country and a Muslim country. And we know that they have developed their relations with Israel highly . To some extent it is our mistake too, because we haven’t paid sufficient attention to it. We believed that Azerbaijan is a Muslim country and Israel can’t influence it. We thought it was not possible. We didn’t think they could do something like that, but it did happen, and the reason is perhaps that we didn’t pay enough attention to neighboring countries, and now we have what we have. Now the Israelis are there, and they have influenced Azerbaijan. They are trying to influence the Baku government,” the Iranian expert said, adding that there are two options to withstand this issue, the worst being direct confrontation.

“For example, Baku isn’t responding well to you, but nevertheless you are doing everything possible to achieve peace. This is similar to the strategy that we have towards Azerbaijan. We know what they are doing and we know that the Israelis are in Azerbaijan, but we try to control and manage the situation, we try to influence them, speak and negotiate with them. To some extent Azerbaijan is a landlocked country, because while they do have access to the Caspian Sea, they don’t have access to international waters. Therefore, they need us. Iran could use this to control them,” Movahedian said, adding that any case requires caution, and that’s why Iran tries to tolerate Azerbaijan’s conduct and activities with Israel.