Aravot interviewed Iranologist Aharon Vardanyan.
-Mr. Vardanyan, according to your analysis, what makes this one stand out among the official statements of Tehran after the war? Is it news or another record of what happened?
– In any case, yes, yesterday’s statement of the spiritual leader of Iran stands out. First of all, because the spiritual leader of Iran had not expressed himself in the presence of the presidents of Russia and Turkey, but had made general statements about Iran’s red lines. And with yesterday’s statement, he warned Turkey in a direct text that such a policy is not desirable for Iran, and Iran is against it. The news is that the fact that the Armenian-Iranian border has a history of thousands of years was talked about, which was a clear message that showed the Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem (under the patronage of Turkey, of course) that when those two states try to draw a new history in the region or make reformulations in the region, then they do not have the history and even the age that the thousand-year Armenian-Iranian relations and the Armenian-Iranian border have.
We, at the Chair of Iranian Studies of YSU, have talked about this many times. At present, this was heard from the lips of the spiritual leader of Iran, and this emphasizes even more, including the advantage of Armenian-Iranian cultural ties in relation to Turkey and Azerbaijan. In politics, of course, culture is not so important, but in this case it is important, because it counterbalances the statements of the Turkish president, with which he tries to create legitimacy for some area. In this case, the said record was important. In addition, the highest official of Iran reaffirmed that the Armenian-Iranian border is important for Iran. On the other hand, unfortunately, it must be said that actions towards the Syunik region “depend” on Iran’s statements. When such statements are made, there is relevant information or analysis. In other words, there is a real danger, that’s why Iran’s position is heard in the most expressive way by the leaders of the 2 powers of the region through the lips of Iran’s highest official.
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– In the background of those statements of the spiritual leader of Iran, how appropriate do you consider the public excitement in Armenia? What is there to be excited about, and is it practically viable for Armenia to reaffirm this approach to Iran?
– There is no need for excitement, just at this stage, at the historical moment, the Armenian-Iranian interest coincides, and we must use the moment. Our interests coincide to such an extent that Iran opposes the closure of the Armenian-Iranian border, thereby deterring any actions against the Syunik region.
The presence of Russian troops should also be documented, but there is no reason to be excited, because in the capital of another country, the leaders of three countries are talking about the inadmissibility of cutting the border of Armenia. We are simply required to use the moment clearly, to try to apply this statement to our advantage, but when you are not present in the processes in politics, then there is no need to be excited. And the fact that we should be present is a necessity.
Luiza Sukiasyan
