Sanctions against Iran jeopardize implementation of Armenian-Iranian projects: expert

YEREVAN, March 6. /ARKA/. Western-slapped sanctions against Iran are jeopardizing the implementation of a set of joint Armenian-Iranian projects, Sevak Sarukganian, deputy head of Noravank foundation, told a news conference today. He said Iranian government had to curtail its 2012 budget by 5.5% and increase military spending by 30%. The volume of investments in the economy has also slashed, he said.

‘This means jeopardizing Armenian-Iranian investment projects because the Iranian side is to secure their bulk,’ said Sarukhanyan.

According to him, the sides may postpone the construction of a hydropower plant on the border Araks River, the construction of a pipeline and a railway to connect both countries. The war against Iran would be a serious challenge to Armenia’s security, he said.

"We do not say that if Iran is attacked Azerbaijan may try to retake Nagorno-Karabakh by using force. Of course, it is possible, but we do not see a direct connection here. The war would above all close one of the two existing conduits for Armenia to other countries. If there is a war in Iran, Armenia’s dependence on imports through Georgia would increase dramatically and it is not clear how Georgia would behave," he said.

However, Sarukhanyan said the likelihood of a war against Iran by U.S. and Israel is extremely small.

"The U.S. made it clear for Israel that it is not going to get into a war with Iran, as it would be a disaster for its regional policy. Iran has a significant influence on Iraq and Afghanistan, while Tehran-backed Hezbollah may destabilize the situation in the Middle East, which ultimately would result in chaos," he said.

The expert stressed that Armenia has no alternative, and therefore must maintain good relations with Iran in any event, as this country has been a reliable partner over the past 20 years and often shows support to Yerevan in the international arena.

U.S. and other Western countries accuse Iran of developing nuclear weapons under the guise of peaceful nuclear energy program. Tehran denies the charges, saying its nuclear program is aimed at meeting the country's electricity needs. -0-