Azernews.Az

Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian has said Yerevan was not in favor of international sanctions against Iran considering high-level ties between the two countries and potential bitter consequences.
"The application of sanctions would adversely affect the situation in Armenia," he told Russia Today TV channel. "Iran is our neighbor, and we maintain good relations and have common interests. Moreover, a gas pipeline is being laid from Iran to Armenia."
Iran, which has been facing mounting international pressure to suspend its nuclear program, denies allegations that it conceals a drive for atomic warheads and is keen on further uranium enrichment. Western powers are pressing for UN sanctions against the Islamic republic. The United States has not ruled out a strike on Iran.
Oskanian said Yerevan was worried by the rising tensions over Tehran's nuclear program. "The use of force would be a catastrophe... If the UN Security Council passes a decision on any sanctions, we will comply with this. But the measure's detriment to the Armenia-Iran economic relations is inevitable."
Oskanian reminded that Armenia's borders with neighboring Turkey and Azerbaijan remain closed. He stressed that a great number of Armenians live in Iran and face no discrimination.
"Therefore, we will continue to maintain friendly relations with Iran. Everyone should understand that our security requires this," he said.