Armenia will be able to participate in all projects connecting Iran with world

YEREVAN, JANUARY 18, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is the only country in Caucasus which has relations with Iran which are very stable and based on mutual trust. ExpertinIranian Studies RudikYaralyan made such a remark in the interview with “Armenpress” referring to the lifting of sanctions against Iran.

-What changes the lifting of sanctions against Iran in terms of politics and what it particularly changes for Iran?

-First of all, it was predictable what will happen after the lifting of sanctions, because we witnessed the attempts of increasing tension in the region by those countries which have traditionally been considered rivals for Iran. We are talking about Saudi Arabia and Turkey. We saw rather jumpy approaches in different issues towards Iran; Shiite-related issue was hit back again. I think in the current year we will witness manifestation of similar conflicts in different countries of Middle East.

-Thus, opponent countries of Iran feel threat in terms of politics and therefore show a caution.

-Yes, absolutely, as Saudi Arabia first of all considers Iran as an opponent country in the sector of oil. Of course the lifting of sanctions put Iran in a completely other status in geopolitical and regional processes. To this point, if Iran did not have an opportunity to enter global oil market, now the doors are fully opened for Iran. Besides, we notice that West already considers Iran’s role as important in the regional issues. Turkey also has political concerns over increasing of Iranian role. And Erdogan's visit to Saudi Arabia and the increasing of tension after it should not be considered accidental. These are interconnected.

-What can Armenia expect from the current situation? Is it possible for our country to be a bridge in the relations between Iran and the West or between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union?

- Armenia is the only country in the South Caucasus, which has relations with Iran which are very stable and based on mutual trust. And, of course, the fact that Iran is gaining new economic opportunities will raise Iran-Armenia relations to some level in terms of economy. Armenia will have an opportunity to participate in all the processes which connect Iran with the world. These are not assumptions; Iran made concrete statements over it. We need to follow these developments in order to stay with the process.