Armenian lawmaker stresses balanced foreign policy amid U.S. tariff decision on Iran

Armenia pursues a balanced policy toward the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran, a senior lawmaker said on Thursday.

MP Artur Hovhannisyan from the ruling Civil Contract party was asked at a press briefing to comment on the Trump administration’s decision to impose a 25% tariff on countries trading with Iran.

“You know what programs we are currently implementing with the United States, and you also know what kind of relations we have with Iran. I hope that we will continue to pursue this policy with the same logic with both of our partners,” Hovhannisyan said.

Trump imposed a 25% tariff on any country doing business with Iran amid the recent anti-government demonstrations that turned into violent clashes in the Islamic Republic.

Washington accused Iranian authorities of violently suppressing peaceful protests, while Tehran said that ‘foreign-backed terrorists’ had incited the clashes which left thousands dead.