“Iran is ready to become an alternative for Armenia in defense and security fields as well”
Interview with Movses Keshishyan, editor-in-chief of Tehran-based “Araks” weekly.
Mr. Keshishyan these days Iran appears with rather active reflections around NK conflict settlement. Remarks stated during the visit of Armenia’s Defense Minister to Iran and Rouhani’s statement during the meeting of Iran’s president and ambassadors on Iran’s role in NK conflict were noteworthy. Moreover, the issue of conflict settlement will be covered during the upcoming Rouhani-Putin negotiations. How do you explain Iran’s current activeness in this issue?
Naturally, Iran, as a regional power, as a country suffering from sanctions and recently unsanctioned, attempts to think over security of its borders and stability, take steps, discussing the issue with the countries, superpowers, which are actors in the region, attempts to enter into dialogue with them regarding NK conflict settlement. We observe such a process in case of Syria, Iran-Russia discussions and negotiations continue, probably, the same is anticipated in case of Artsakh as well—exchange of some ideas. If you remember months ago meeting was held by Rouhani-Aliyev-Putin format, NK conflict has been touched upon as well, which was a negative development for Armenia, as it wasn’t present at discussions. However, it’s natural that issues threatening regional security are discussed between neighbors and actors.
Can such discussions develop into continuous formats, interfering with NK conflict peaceful settlement?
As I said, these are necessary discussions between regional powers and countries, which become a certain restricting factor for NK conflict, as they raise involvement and participation of all neighboring powers in regional issues. However, continuous and steady format is Minsk Group, which will continue its activity.
In addition to the first question, it’s noteworthy that cooperation is being launched also in Iran-Armenia defense field. Basically, this isn’t accidental either.
Yes, it isn’t accidental. Recently Armenian Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan’s visit to Iran was held, where Sargsyan has held negotiations with respective ministries of two countries on deepening cooperation around NK peaceful settlement. The Iranian side, as formerly insisted, proved that it continues its balanced position in NK conflict. The reality that soon Iran’s Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics will visit Armenia, shows that the Iranian side is more involved in regional security issues, i.e. the Iranian side strives to move from observer’s position to an actor’s status.
How will this new position of Iran be reflected in Russia’s positions and policy in the region, which, according to some opinions, has influence in the South Caucasus through NK conflict non-settlement?
It’ll automatically reduce Russia’s influence in this field, as Russia had a big role in this issue. This behavior will move Russia to cautiousness and balance its influence. In all likelihood, Rouhani will state during the meeting with Putin that peaceful settlement is the only reasonable solution. I consider in this issue Iran is led by the circumstance that Azerbaijan initiated rapprochement policy with Israel, the latter’s presence in the region is changing, and Israel shows hostile attitude toward Iran, all this is impermissible to Iran, automatically it instigates Iran to more approach to Armenia. We shouldn’t forget that Israel’s role in the region, anti-Iranian steps in Azerbaijan, assistance to Iranian separatist powers, to all this recent approaches of Saudi Arabia are added. Iran is obliged to have more powerful presence in the region’s security and defence fields.
On account of all this, we may state that Iran-Armenia relations more strengthen Armenia’s positions, and I’d say they provide an alternative to Armenia in the field of security and defence. Iran, out of its interests, is ready to provide such alternatives to Armenia with its readiness to support.
On account of contradicting interests of Iran and Russia in NK conflict settlement process, how will Russia react to Iran’s this activeness?
States, especially, neighboring states, can’t but take into account the opinion and approaches of powerful states: it’s impossible, Russians will have to take into consideration positions of Armenia and Iran as well, if Armenia’s authorities pursue clear policy, set forward demands. If we are in suspicion whether “to give territories or no” and if those “games” are on state level, external powers gain the possibility to dictate their opinion. And if we have a clear position on what we want, we’ll have another snapshot.
Russians and other powers can’t urge theirs. Russians, naturally refer to the issue not from our interests, but theirs. Of course, there are shared interests, from which we gain, however, no state doesn’t interfere with affairs of that state due to a third one and is simply led by its own interests. This isn’t natural. I’m convinced that in case of correct promotion of interests, which the authorities of Armenia don’t so properly do, even Russia will take into consideration, i.e. even if there are contradictions and different purposes around NK conflict zone, Russia will have to take into consideration Iran’s position as well, which is peaceful settlement. I repeat, Iran’s such engagement policy can’t be ignored by Moscow. And this means, that Moscow’s ambitions will a bit mitigate and the situation will be pushed to stability, rather than the contrary.
By Araks Martirosyan
