Epress.am News from Armenia
“Iran is isolated, it’s surrounded by American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. This is also why Iran is very ambitious with Armenia, in pursuing energy and transportation ties, in order to overcome its isolation,” said Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) Director Richard Giragosian today, speaking with journalists on Iran, Iran-Armenia relations and Iran and Armenia in the regional context.
“What is going on now is that the Obama administration is trying to start a dialogue with Iran. Part of the problem is within Iran itself. In other words, the problem is also that within Iran there is a post-election crisis, an instability, where Iran has had its own March 1st, many times more serious,” said Giragosian, who called what’s going on in Iran today an “undeclared war.”
In Iran, an unofficial war began not only on “political soil,” said the analyst, but also “secret, covert operations [are being carried out] against the Iranian government by the Israelis and by the West.”
According to him, Armenia is the only country in the region with a strategic potential that can serve as a mediator with Iran.
“Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in a speech in Germany in June also spoke about Iran, where he also spoke about Iran’s sense of being in danger. President Sargsyan also highlighted the relationship between Armenia and Iran as a positive example,” said Giragosian, saying that Armenia recognizes its own potential in dealing with Iran.
“Regarding Iran’s ambitions in the region, Iran does not have the power or influence to play the active role in the region, but it does have the power and influence to negatively affect insecurity in the region,” he said, adding that it’s a serious concern for Armenia if Iran has nuclear weapons, not only because Iran is physically close, but the possible reaction from the international community will also endanger Armenia.