The joint US–Israeli military operation in Iran has entered its third day. The strikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Donald Trump said that “48 Iranian leaders were eliminated in a single strike”. Among them were the minister of defence and armed forces support and the chief of the general staff.
In response, Iran launched missiles at Israeli territory and attacked 14 US military bases in Persian Gulf countries.
The US president also said the war against Iran could last four weeks. At the same time, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary, Ali Larijani, said his country would not negotiate with the United States. He stressed that Iranian armed forces did not start the hostilities.
Developments in the neighbouring country have raised concern in Armenia. Authorities have created a working group to manage potential risks. The Security Council met yesterday under the chairmanship of the prime minister.
Today, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan held a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Seyed Abbas Araghchi. Iran’s embassy in Armenia said that Yerevan “expressed condolences over the death of the Supreme Leader, Iranian citizens, women and children”.
“Ararat Mirzoyan said Armenia stands ready to provide any necessary humanitarian assistance in the current circumstances and expressed hope for a diplomatic resolution of the situation,” the embassy said.
Political analyst Robert Ghevondyan believes Armenia should maintain its current position. In an interview with JAMnews, he stressed that Armenia expressed condolences but did not state its “political position”.
“This creates an opportunity for neutrality, which Armenia is using. At this stage, this is the best possible option,” he said.
Ghevondyan also discussed possible scenarios around Iran and their impact on Armenia.
Everything known at the time of publication, along with the political analyst’s comment.