Iran and Armenia signed a Memorandum of Cooperation between their respective defense ministries during a May 20 meeting between high-level Iranian and Armenian foreign and defense ministers.
ME-100, Middle East Chief:
The Iran-Armenia defense memorandum signed on May 20 is a calculated maneuver by both nations to recalibrate regional power dynamics amid shifting alliances and emerging threats. For Iran, it serves as a strategic counterbalance to Azerbaijan’s deepening military ties with Israel and Turkey, particularly concerning the contentious Zangezur corridor that threatens Iran’s direct access to Armenia. For Armenia, the agreement signals a diversification of its security partnerships, moving beyond its traditional reliance on Russia, which has been preoccupied with its own geopolitical challenges.
While reports of a substantial $500 million arms deal, including advanced drones and missile systems, have surfaced, both Tehran and Yerevan have officially denied such claims, possibly to mitigate international scrutiny and avoid exacerbating tensions with Western powers. Nonetheless, the memorandum underscores a mutual intent to fortify military cooperation, reflecting a broader pattern of regional actors seeking to assert autonomy and secure their interests amidst a complex web of alliances and rivalries
“The Armenian is a man who has suffered much, and in his suffering has learned to be silent.”
— William Saroyan
ME-100, Middle East Chief
III’ Corporate