“Regardless of what pressures there are on Iran, our interests are also threatened,” says Emma Begijanyan
“Regardless of what trends and pressures there are on Iran, our interests are also threatened there,” Iranologist Emma Begijanyan answered the question of “Aravot” about what trends are there in the context of the current pressures against Iran. According to her, Iran is the only country with which our security interests coincide, and it can also help us in the “sinister” corridor. According to Emma Begijanyan, the pressure against Iran is increasing.
To our reminder that the USA and its allies are going to consider Iran as a global threat and form a coalition against it, the Iranian expert responded like this: “Back in Trump’s time, when they decided to create an Arab NATO in the region, to which Turkey and Israel would also join, it did not work out. Israel-Arabian relations had quite serious successes during Trump’s rule. Five countries established diplomatic relations with Israel and have severe economic ties. It won’t work now, either. We see that Qatar has excellent relations with Iran, and Iran is trying to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia.
They are just pressures on Iran to isolate Iran further and push for many concessions. They were pinning their hopes on the protests that started in Iran in December, which were suppressed.” To the question: How effective do you consider the 3+3 format, since there was an offer from the Iranian side to meet in Tehran and discuss regional issues, Emma Begijanyan answered: “From the beginning, when that issue entered the agenda, I said that it is not the format that can solve issues in the region.
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Georgia has different interests, Armenia has different interests, and Turkey and Azerbaijan are the same government. We and Iran should have announced that we have common interests, everyone knows and sees it, but we don’t want to do that. The same thing happened in the early 90s. Iran is striving; it has already understood that it is not only Islam that the nation must face with it, but Armenia is not taking that step.”
Emma Begijanyan answered the question: “What’s stopping us?” “During the time of Levon Ter-Petrosyan, they said: what will America say, what will Europe and Russia say? Now it’s the same thing. They say: what will Europe say now? What will the USA say? They won’t say anything if your interests coincide and if you have good diplomacy. The meaning of diplomacy is to prove that you have no other choice. It must be said: if you have another good solution, offer it. That is the meaning of diplomacy.”
We asked if you saw severe regional escalations, and she answered. “Everyone is pressuring Iran. I don’t think they can attack Iran. Israel will not do it for a thousand and one reasons, it presents serious threats, but it will not take a practical step. Israel is the only powerful regional nuclear power, but Iran has no less powerful army. Israel is a tiny country, and it can lose a lot in a short time. It means a much more total war involving more countries than the Ukrainian one. America will not attack Iran either.”
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
“Aravot” daily, 04.03.2023
