Expert says Iran and Armenia are strategic partners

This week Iranian President Hassan Rouhani congratuled his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan on the coming New Year. In his address the Iranian president called for peace and security for the whole region.

The head of the Modern Iranian Research Centre, Radjab Safarov, says Iranian-Armenian relations are very close and that mutual trade ties are developing rapidly.

"Iran and Armenia are strategic partners. Armenia is crucial for enhancement of Iran's economic and political influence in the Caucasus," the expert says.