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Crucial events are taking place in the region after sanctions were lifted from Iran, which has created opportunities for Armenia to derive benefits, said Ambassador Arman Navasardyan, Head of Political Science and International Relations Sub-Department of Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University. 

Speaking at a press conference today, he attached importance to the recent statement of Iranian deputy foreign minister to the effect that Iran could act as a mediator in the settlement of the Karabakh problem between Armenia and Azerbaijan. “The bid is interesting, but not new,” he noted. 

When commenting on whether the willingness of a friendly country like Iran to act as a mediator is good or bad, Navasardyan said that there are more negative aspects than positive ones.

“Tehran does not say anything about the format of its proposed participation. If it wants to join the OSCE Minsk Group, it is praiseworthy since Armenia’s official stance is that it does not accept any format, except the OSCE Minsk Group. Iran intends to act alone. It is not a very good thing. Due to a number of circumstances, they cannot play a role in the problem’s resolution, quite the opposite, the situation may grow even tense. Turkey is keen to enter into the process to back Azerbaijan. If Iran enters into the process, Turkey will make new demands with renewed force”.  

According to Navasardyan, there has been no official reaction so far from the Armenian side that is probably examining and analyzing everything.

When asked why Iran wants to be a mediator in the Karabakh peace process, the diplomat replied: “Iran wants to become actor number one in the region, to be a superpower. It intends to benefit from the current situation and get a decisive voice in the region. Iran has its own interests and will act in its interests”.