Radar Armenia‘s interlocutor is international affairs expert Shahan Gandaharian.
– Mr. Gandaharian, US-Iran relations seem to be getting worse again. Trump announced that the US had shot down Iranian ships, and Iran accused the US of attacking civilian ships. How would you comment on what is happening?
– I think these are limited, partial actions. Negotiations are continuing, mostly non-public. Proposals and projects are being sent and redrafted, and different approaches are being discussed on some points. Military operations are interconnected with the process of negotiations.
– Will we again witness the resumption of active military operations?
– I am inclined to think that military clashes will not take on a large-scale form. By besieging Iran’s sea outlets, the US changed the rules of the “war game”. Economic pressure will lead to a deal at the negotiating table. But before that, there will be upheavals, “turbulence zones,” but not a resumption of a full-scale war.
– Do you think Israel will also join the military operations against Iran if they suddenly resume?
– Now we are seeing pressure from Washington to restrain Israel. This is evident in Lebanon, where operations have been limited to the southern part. Israel is worried about a possible agreement between Iran and the United States.
– Iran insists that the issue of the Strait of Hormuz has no military solution. What does this mean?
– This is a message of preference for the path of negotiations, a transfer of the disposition and readiness to make a deal.
– Do you see a continuation of the US-Iranian dialogue or not?
– I think so. The mediated dialogue and negotiations will become direct at some point. This will already indicate that a deal is on the verge of being made.
