ArmInfo. The actual filling of the Armenian-Iranian relations is hindered by US sanctions against Iran. Such opinion was expressed to ArmInfo by expert of the Armenian Institute of International Relations and Security, Iran specialist Armen Vardanyan.
"It is clear that this problem affects not only relations between Armenia and Iran. American sanctions have led to a decline in Iran's trade and economic relations with all partner countries. Many countries simply avoid or cannot fully develop relations with Iran due to repeated statements by the Trump administration about the inadmissibility deepened economic relations with the USA of countries conducting trade with Iran, "he stressed.
At the same time, according to experts, Yerevan is taking certain steps to develop the existing agenda with Tehran. In this light, he noted that the same signing of the Free Trade Agreement between Iran and the EAEU took place, inter alia thanks to efforts of the Government of Armenia.
Moreover, against this background, the Iranian states the absence of special changes in the volume of trade between Armenia and Iran. Moreover, the construction of the third Iran-Armenia power line was significantly delayed, which the project was supposed to be completed at the end of 2019. And, apparently, the construction is being delayed precisely because of Iranian partners.
According to expert estimates, Armenia, in this light, is interested in the INSTEX agreement "Trade Exchanges Supporting Tool", signed last June by Iran and the European Union. This financial and trading mechanism allows you to make financial transactions bypassing US sanctions. Moreover, the EU leadership has already announced that INSTEX is open for third countries. After that, China, Russia and a number of other countries expressed a desire to join this mechanism.