ArmInfo. Iran is one of Armenia's most important partners, and relations with Tehran are of vital importance for Yerevan, Anna Naghdalyan, Acting Spokesperson of the Armenian Foreign Ministry stated on August 14 referring to the new US sanctions against Iran, as well as their possible impact on Armenia.
She stressed that Armenia closely follows all processes around Iran. At the same time, Naghdalyan recalled that in 2015 Armenia was one of the first countries to welcome the agreements reached around the Iranian nuclear program. According to her, Armenia in this issue was guided by the opportunities that this agreement provided both in terms of stability and security of the region, and prospects for deepening cooperation. "Naturally, the recent processes around Iran cause concern, but Armenia continues to work closely and in a coordinated manner, to conduct an open dialogue with both Iran and all parties involved in the process." We clearly and openly voice the issues of which we are concerned, our anxiety and our stance based on them. We are trying to establish an open dialogue with all the parties, "Naghdalyan said.
Referring to the date of the visit of the Armenian Prime Minister to Iran, which was announced earlier, and whether this visit will create difficulties in relations with the US acting Spokesperson of the MFA noted that the vector of interaction with Iran is clearly indicated in the program of the government of the country. "The program emphasizes that we must develop close relations with Iran in the spirit inherent in the two neighboring states, and they should be aloof from geopolitical processes, and we must consider the forthcoming mutual visits at different levels in this very light. Moreover, as far as we know there is no visit to Iran on the agenda of the Prime Minister of Armenia yet, as soon as the terms of a possible visit will be specified, this will be reported in due time, "Naghdalyan summed up.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump recovered some sanctions that were lifted in the framework of the nuclear deal concluded by Iran with six world powers in 2015. The agreement provided for the limitation of Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the abolition of sanctions that caused serious damage to its economy. The restored sanctions affect Iran's auto industry, its trade in gold and other precious metals, the national currency (Iranian rial) and other financial transactions.
Moreover, Trump threatened to introduce on November 5 the next series of sanctions that would be directed against Iranian activities in the energy sector, as well as the operations of foreign financial institutions with the Central Bank of Iran. Meanwhile, Iran and other parties to the agreement have stated that they intend to continue it.