Politics 16:15 09/12/2022 Region

Armenian expert: Azerbaijani-Turkish duo will not dare to cross Araks River

Panorama.am has talked to Iran specialist Vardan Voskanyan, the head of the Chair of Iranian Studies at Yerevan State University (YSU), about the ongoing Turkish-Azerbaijani joint military exercises along Azerbaijan's border with Iran, their rhetoric and possible response from Iran.

Panorama.am: Azerbaijan does not hide that the key messages of the Turkish-Azerbaijani drills are addressed to Iran. Pro-government media reports suggest that the troops may cross the Araks River if necessary. How realistic are these threats?

Vardan Voskanyan: Obviously, neither Azerbaijan nor the Azerbaijani-Turkish tandem will dare to cross the Araks. It would amount to an invasion of Iranian territory with all the ensuing consequences, including missile attacks on the Absheron Peninsula. Azerbaijan and Turkey would not go for it, but they could spread such reports in an effort to step up propaganda pressure on Iran.

Panorama.am: How does Iran respond to such military exercises and statements?

Vardan Voskanyan: It’s worth noting that in Iran, both among society and various government circles, there are no illusions about the possibility to build good friendly relations with Azerbaijan. Toughening of rhetoric to some extent in diplomacy can be expected. Meanwhile, the Iranians will take practical steps to weaken as much as possible the artificial entity called Azerbaijan, using all the levers that Iran has inside this "state". It’s about the Shiite groups, the indigenous peoples of Iran as well as the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

Therefore, Iran won’t respond to it with an impetuous step, but will draw out a long-range plan aimed at countering all threats from Azerbaijan as well as deepening relations with Armenia in all areas, from the military sphere to propaganda.

An excellent opportunity has emerged for Armenia and Iran to essentially form different cooperation platforms, since both Armenia and Iran as well as Russia are facing common challenges and risks. For example, some kind of Armenian-Iranian counter terrorism platform could be formed which would develop into military cooperation. I believe Iran is extremely interested in it. Obviously, the Iranians seek closer cooperation with Armenia, including in the military-political sphere, so we should seize the existing opportunities to counter the imminent threats. Azerbaijan’s ruling regime will not calm down until, in fact, Armenia’s resistance capacities are zeroed out, it will try to constantly keep Armenia in vassal dependence.

Thank God we have allies both in the region, including Iran and Russia, and beyond it, namely Greece. In other words, there is a wide field of activity, which, of course, requires hard work, but it will be worth the result we can achieve

Panorama.am: Does Armenia realize the importance of deepening ties with Iran?

Vardan Voskanyan: You know, as a specialist I follow the developments related to Iran. Iran is obviously inclined to deepen strategic cooperation with Armenia in a number of spheres, including the military one. This cooperation can also be in the form of a tacit alliance, that is, not by wordy statements, but by real actions. I believe right now it is necessary to make major efforts in this regard in order to ensure Armenia's security, since it concerns the vital interests of the Republic of Armenia and, in general, to our viability and existence. Therefore, this direction is extremely important and requires effective steps, taking into consideration the level of the Iranian-Russian relations. In all probability, a tacit alliance has already been formed here, and Armenia can become a platform for trilateral cooperation.

Interview by Lala Ter-Ghazaryan



Source Panorama.am
Share |
Տեքստում սխալ կամ վրիպակ նկատելու դեպքում, ուղարկեք խմբագրին հաղորդագրություն` նշելով տվյալ սխալը, այնուհետև սեղմելով Ctrl-Enter:

Newsfeed

17:05
Opposition politician: France responded to Pashinyan's 'absurd' comments
Opposition politician Eduard Sharmazanov, a senior member of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), claims the French envoy’s latest...
16:30
Israel, Hezbollah reportedly close to a ceasefire deal
A ceasefire deal between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah is “very close,” a regional source told CNN on Sunday,...
16:15
Temperatures set to plunge in Armenia
Rain and snow are forecast for most parts of Armenia from Monday to Friday. The capital Yerevan will also see precipitation till Thursday...
16:02
Armenian companies help Russia evade Western gold trade sanctions, study reveals
Hetq, and the Russia-focused independent media outlet The Insider, have revealed that companies in Armenia are aiding Russia to circumvent gold...
15:36
Major car crash leaves several wounded in Armenia
Several people were wounded in a major car crash in Armenia's Aragatsotn Province on Monday. The Rescue Service reported that a Nissan...
15:15
HIV infections rising in Armenia
Health officials have reported an increase in HIV infection rates in Armenia in recent years. A total of 462 new HIV cases were confirmed in...
14:36
Cosmetic doctor sues Ronaldo over ‘unpaid’ bill
Footie superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is being sued by a cosmetic doctor over an alleged unpaid £40,000 bill, The Sun reports. Dr...
14:06
Russia remains committed to ensuring Armenia's security, envoy says
Russia remains committed to its security obligations towards Armenia, including through the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO),...
13:32
World Chess Championship kicks off in Singapore
The FIDE World Chess Championship Match 2024 is taking place in Singapore from November 25 to December 13. The championship is...
13:01
'Genuinely Yours': ARARAT presents new communication platform
“Genuinely Yours” new communication platform of ARARAT is a new chapter in the history of the brand. ARARAT continues its...
12:36
Azerbaijan used COP29 to step up anti-Armenian propaganda, MP says
Armenia gained nothing in return for supporting Azerbaijan's bid to host the COP29 UN climate summit which concluded on Sunday, opposition...
12:00
Cargo plane crashes into house in Lithuania, killing one
A DHL cargo plane crashed into a house as it made its approach to land at Lithuania’s Vilnius airport early on Monday, killing one person...
11:45
Today is legendary commander Monte Melkonian's birthday
November 25 marks the birthday anniversary of legendary Armenian commander, philosopher and warrior Monte Melkonian. He would have turned 67...
11:30
Fog hits Syunik highlands
The Rescue Service has warned drivers about a closed road in Armenia. The road linking the Amberd high mountain meteorological station to...
11:15
World Cadet Championship: Armenia's Tyhran Ambartsumian among leaders
The World Cadet Chess Championship 2024 is coming to a close in Montesilvano, Italy. CM Tyhran Ambartsumian is among the leaders before...
11:00
Putin, Erdogan hold phone call
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed relations between the two nations during a phone...
17:00
Armenian church honors St Gregory the Thaumaturgus and others
The Armenian Apostolic Church on Saturday commemorates St Gregory the Thaumaturgus, Nicholas the Bishop and St Myron the Wonderworker....
16:30
Banner at Armenian church in Watertown vandalized, police say
A banner at St. Stephen’s Armenian Church in Watertown has been vandalized, Watertown News reports, citing local police. The...
16:02
At least 3 arrested as Montreal anti-NATO protests turns violent
Montreal police say at least three people were arrested after protests turned violent Friday evening, with demonstrators throwing objects at...
15:45
Expert: Armenia pinned hopes on 'European fairy tales' and became isolated
Arthur Khachikyan, an international relations expert from Stanford University, claims the Armenian government’s poor foreign...
15:07
Armenian-Russian relations 'in agony', expert says
Hayk Khalatyan, a political analyst at the Verelq Information and Analytical Center, on Saturday accused Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his...
14:32
Powerful Israeli airstrike kills 11 people in central Beirut
A powerful airstrike killed 11 people in central Beirut on Saturday, the Lebanese civil defence said, shaking the capital as Israel pressed its...
14:15
Expert: Armenian-Azeri talks somewhat stalled
Political analyst Suren Sargsyan claims the Armenian-Azerbaijani peace talks have somewhat stalled amid the change of government in the United...
13:33
Temperatures set to plunge next week
Clear weather is expected in Armenia's regions over the weekend. Rain and snow are forecast for most parts of the country next week....
13:06
Magnitude 4․3 quake hits Azerbaijan, felt in Armenia
A magnitude 4․3 earthquake struck Azerbaijan on Saturday afternoon. The quake was recorded 42 km northeast of the town of Goris in...
12:35
Opposition MP slams Pashinyan's Western Armenia remarks
Opposition Hayastan faction MP Levon Kocharyan has blasted Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's remarks on Western Armenia and Baku’s fake...
12:00
MP Hovik Aghazaryan says decided on his parliament seat
MP Hovik Aghazaryan of Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party has made a decision on his parliament seat. The deputy has told the media...
11:36
US lawmakers request classified briefing on Turkey’s ties to Hamas
More than three dozen Democratic and Republican lawmakers are calling on the Biden administration to offer a classified briefing on...
11:15
Armenia's Mushegh Mkrtchyan wins bronze at World Military Wrestling Championships
Armenian serviceman Mushegh Mkrtchyan (92 kg) has clinched a bronze medal at the 37th CISM World Military Wrestling Championships in Yerevan,...
11:00
Switzerland bans exports to Polish firm after Swiss-made ammunition ends up in Ukraine
The Swiss government said Friday it is barring exports to a Polish military hardware supplier after concluding that some 645,000 rounds of...

Follow us and get updates!

Most popular articles

{"core.blocks.header.spell_message1":"Selected mistake: ","core.blocks.header.spell_message2":"Send a message about the mistake?"}