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The Acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan referred to the US-Armenian relations at a press conference today, expressing hope that the American side will show understanding regarding the Armenian-Iranian close relations.

Panorama.am correspondent talked about the topic with the Iranian expert, Head of the Chair of Iranian Studies at Yerevan State University, Vardan Voskanyan, wondering whether the United States is really ready to show understanding towards the Armenian-Iranian warm relations.
According to him, in general, the US policy in the South Caucasus is aimed at suppressing the ring around Iran.

"But in this context the position of the Armenian side is quite clear. In the context of the interests of our country, Armenia should explain to the United States the importance of the Armenian-Iranian relations at all levels. It is obvious that Armenia-Iran relations are of great importance, and the Armenian-Iranian border, with its two parts, is one of the most important components of the security of the two states. With respect to this, it is obvious that the United States should take into account Armenia's interests, "said Vardan Voskanyan.

He is convinced that Armenia's interests imply not only the preservation of relations with Iran, but also their development and expansion. Nevertheless, if the United States does not put considerable pressure on Armenia regarding the preservation of the ties, the expansion and development prospects are of concern for the US administration.

"Our main task should be not only to maintain the existing relations, but also to get a working status with Iran through rather complicated negotiations with the United States," he said.

Asked whether Armenia has the potential to engage in complex negotiations with the United States in the context of expanding relations with Iran, Vardan Voskanyan said that Armenia focuses too much on domestic political developments, but we should always keep in mind that Armenia's foreign policy agenda does not wait for internal political developments.

"In other words, Armenia should pursue a proactive foreign policy, on the one hand, to explain to the US the challenges our country is facing and, on the other hand, to work with Iran trying to build new development plans. We should understand that sanctions against Iran not only contain risks, but also create new opportunities which should be used to the advantage of our state, "the Iranian expert concluded.