Israeli drones high on agenda of Armenian defense minister’s visit to Iran – Armen Vardanyan

The statement made during Armenian Minister of Defense Vigen Sargsyan’s visit to Iran were actually “the tip of an iceberg,” Armen Vardanyan, an expert for the Armenian Institute of International and Security Affairs (AIISA), told Tert.am as he spoke of possible Armenia-Iran military cooperation.

“Israeli drone were one of the major issues on the negotiations agenda,” Mr Vardanyan said. He believes this issue is a headache for both Armenia and Iran. Mr Vardanyan points out the fact that several drones made by Israel were downed in over Tehran.

Iran has recently been working to spot the drones.

“Armenia and Iran could establish military cooperation in this field because during the April war both drones and offensive weapons were destroyed. Armenia could provide the data to Iran. I am sure that both the countries will wage a joint struggle,” Mr Vardanyan said.

Asked whether Armenian-Iranian cooperation in drone production or mutual arms sales was on the agenda of Mr Sargsyan’s visit to Iran, Mr Vardanyan said:

“I rule out sales now. Even if there were any, it would not be obvious.”

The reason is that Iranian weapons cannot yet compete with Russian counterparts. Moreover, as a CSTO member-state, Armenia can purchase weapons from Russia at a much lower price.

Another reason why Iran cannot sell weapons to Armenia many ethnic Azerbaijanis in Iran, with some of them part of the ruling elite.