Any significant events which take place in one of the key countries of the region - Iran - influence the South Caucasus states
The deputy director of the scientific and educational fund "Noravank", Iranian scientist and expert on energy security Sevak Sarukhanyan, comments on Iran and its policy in the South Caucasus.
- In late January the next round of nuclear talks between the EU and Iran ended without result. Europe will probably toughen its sanctions against Iran. What do you think the real role of the European countries will be in case of aggravation of the situation involving Iran?
- The EU has no single strong view on this issue. Europe has failed to convince Iran to stop its nuclear problem. The EU has few levers of pressure on Iran. If there is war in Iran, Europe will take a neutral position. Europe is not a united geopolitical player in the regions of the Middle East and Central Asia.
- Some experts think that because of the Iranian nuclear programme the country has found itself in political isolation. This makes the Iranian authorities promote their foreign policy in the South Caucasus and Central Asia. What do you think about this?
- I agree with this opinion. An active Iranian foreign policy is a way of filling the "void" that appeared after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the destruction of Saddam's regime in Iraq and the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Iran competes with the US, Turkey, Russia and China in dominating in these regions. That is why the South Caucasus, Central Asia, Iraq and Afghanistan are key targets in Iran's foreign policy. As for the South Caucasus, the region is fairly stable today. That is why Iran cannot change its position dramatically here. The powers in the region are clearly divided. The key political players are Russia, the US and Turkey. However, if war is to be reopened, Iran will use this situation to improve its positions in the region, as it had during the Nagorno-Karabakh war, when Iran was a mediator between opposing parties.
- Could you comment on the recent treaty between Yerevan and Tehran on the construction of a pipeline for Iranian oil transit to Armenia?- Iran won't get much profit from this project. Iran will export oil at a low price. For Iran it is a political project, aimed at strengthening Iran in the Armenian energy market. Today, Armenia gets oil and fuel through Georgia. However, an alternative route will improve our energy security.
- In the West, Iran has a negative image. However, in the region it remains a stable player. What is the reason for this difference?
Interview by Susanna Petrosyan. Yerevan. Exclusively to VK.
