Your trusted source

Azerbaijan has repeatedly voiced the intent to buy ballistic missiles from Iran, yet the latter has consistently avoided the possibility of such a deal, predicting possible threats, Ara Papyan, the Head of “Modus Vivendi” Analytical Center told Panorama.am.

“Azerbaijan is perceived as a potential threat to Iran due to its close relations with Israel. Azerbaijan itself poses no threat to Iran, however the Islamic State keeps vigilance while dealing with its northern neighbor,” Papyan said, adding if obtained those long-range ballistic missiles could be used some day against Iran.

“For the Armenian front Azerbaijan needs no range missiles, yet it buys drones capable of reaching up to 2500km. Those could be used against Armenia, Russia or Iran. In case with Armenia those rockets are useless, unlikely against Russia with Iran remaining the sole realistic option,” Papyan explained.

Asked whether Azerbaijani desire to buy weaponry from Iran comes to compensate the expulsion the Islamic Republic from the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project, Papyan gave a negative response.

“Baku is a stakeholder in the North-South Russia-Azerbaijan-Iran railway and even suggests a 500 million USD loan to complete Resht - Astara section of the proposed route,” Papyan said.