Radar Armenia's interlocutor is international affairs expert Shahan Gandaharian.
- I would like to ask you to reflect on the Israeli-Iranian conflict, the active military phase of which has been suspended. Ultimately, what happened, and to what extent will the ceasefire be maintained?
- The one who dictated and sponsored the ceasefire is the US. The situation has changed in both directions. Israel understood that it could not resolve its primary security concerns without the US. Iran, while maintaining its nuclear productivity, understood that further negotiations should proceed according to the rules specified by the US.
- Why did the US intervene in those actions with a direct military strike? After all, they were still negotiating.
- I think the 12-day military "negotiations" provided an opportunity for diplomatic negotiations to be resumed in more precise directions and offer guidelines for moving towards a greater agreement. Targeting, brevity, and a specific limitation reflect the agreed-upon rules of the war game.
- The US announces that severe damage has been caused to Iran's nuclear facilities. Iran denies this. Is this true, and will Iran continue its uranium enrichment program?
- The statements should be understood within the logic of information warfare. Yes, Iran will continue the uranium enrichment process under US control.
- Will US-Iranian negotiations continue, and in what direction will they go?
- Definitely, they will continue. In exchange for American control, Iran will receive a phased lifting of sanctions and the lifting of the economic blockade. Iran's role in the region is being redefined.
- What developments can be expected in the Middle East after these events?
- The process of redrawing the political map in the Middle East is accelerating. There will be new shocks. The Abrahamic Alliance will return to the agenda. The process of establishing diplomatic relations between Israel and Arab states will be restarted. The US will thus reduce the budget allocated to Israel's defense.
- I would also like to ask you to refer to the NATO summit. What were the results achieved?
- The main decision is to unload the US. Member states must increase their membership fees and the size of their participation in the NATO budget. This also fits into the logic of Trump's economic philosophy. On the one hand, to unload the US budget; on the other hand, to provide new income in a simplified manner.
- In this context, what developments are expected around the Russian-Ukrainian conflict? Is it possible to achieve peace in the end?
- Peace is not yet visible in this direction, contrary to the statements. Here, too, Trump is taking Ukrainian resources in exchange for his investments. He has not yet closed the account, which is why peace is not visible. Russia's isolation policy continues.
Interviewed by Arman Galoyan
