Active political dialogue between Armenia and Iran is important not only for the current bilateral agenda, but also in the context of regional developments and the process of reopening transport links planned through Armenian territory. According to regional affairs expert Armen Petrosyan, Ararat Mirzoyan’s visit to Tehran should be viewed within this broader framework.
Petrosyan attaches importance to regular contacts, explanations and negotiations with the Iranian side, particularly given that the conflict between the United States and Iran, while manageable to some extent, remains unresolved. He said Iran is sensitive to the United States’ presence in the region, while the project for new transport links through Armenian territory is directly associated with an American presence.
“Since there are no negotiations between the United States and Iran, maintaining active dialogue with the Iranian side is one of Armenia’s key foreign policy tasks. On the one hand, Armenia should try to allay Iran’s concerns; on the other, it should continually explain the potential benefits that could emerge from the process of reopening transport links,” the expert said.
TRIPP is an important agenda item, but not the only one
In Petrosyan’s assessment, the agenda of Mirzoyan’s visit extends beyond the transport links planned through Armenian territory. Armenia and Iran have a fairly broad bilateral agenda, and several of its issues were discussed again during Ararat Mirzoyan’s talks.
These include, in particular, completing work on the third power transmission line, building a second bridge, developing border infrastructure between the two countries and boosting bilateral trade.
Another important area is preserving economic relations between Armenia and Iran as sanctions against Iran gradually intensify. According to Petrosyan, Yerevan should use dialogue to try to reduce the potential negative impact of these restrictions on bilateral economic ties.
“In other words, there is both a bilateral agenda and, naturally, the explanations that are important and carry considerable significance for ensuring that this project proceeds without disruption,” he said.
Regional tensions increase the need for dialogue
The expert said the need for active contacts between Armenia and Iran is also growing amid continuing developments of concern in the region. In particular, he pointed not only to the US–Iran conflict, but also to Israel’s continued activity, tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthis, and Azerbaijan’s recent actions that have caused concern.
Under these circumstances, Petrosyan believes dialogue between Yerevan and Tehran should be continuous, allowing the two countries to discuss sensitive issues and advance their existing agenda. He views Mirzoyan’s visit as the result of the Armenian side’s initiative and stresses that such negotiations are necessary both for bilateral relations and in the context of regional developments.
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