Turkey Deploys 9th Field Army to Border with Iran, New Escalation Inevitable: Expert

There is an unprecedented escalation in the region. The tensions are unprecedented. Military expert Van Hambardzumyan stated in an interview with 'Factinfo' that today our region is the hottest spot in the world. Here, the interests of global superpowers clash. Although the Zangezur corridor appears to be a Armenian-Azerbaijani issue, in reality, there are players concentrating their attention on this issue, making the situation explosive.

“This region has a new player. The only Muslim nuclear country is Pakistan, which has entered this region. Just a week ago, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan conducted joint military exercises. Pakistan came with its fighter jets. It is noteworthy that Pakistan is an enemy of Iran. Israel is also currently present in this region. Israel is preparing to deploy missile defense systems in Azerbaijan. If Iran allows these defense systems to be stationed, all of Iran's armaments will become obsolete, which is why it will not permit this,” the expert noted.

Van Hambardzumyan pointed out that unprecedentedly serious statements are coming from Iran toward both Azerbaijan and Turkey. Moreover, they have accumulated significant military resources at the border with Azerbaijan. The expert also mentioned that Turkey is currently deploying its 9th Field Army entirely to the border with Iran, which possesses more military equipment than the Armenian armed forces.

“Pakistan is currently accumulating large forces at the border with Iran. In other words, an unprecedented escalation is expected. At the center of all this is the Zangezur corridor. I have reasons to believe that the issue of the corridor will be discussed during the meeting between Pashinyan and Aliyev. If they give away this corridor, it will be deadly for Iran. In that case, a large-scale war will be inevitable. Iran is surrounded on all sides, and for it, this border is as vital as air and water. During an escalation, the Russian military bases in Armenia would be the fastest option for providing assistance to Iran. If this border is given away, the Russian bases will also be cut off from supplies. All military equipment comes through Iran, and if the border is closed, the bases will lose their viability. Armenia will also suffer fatal consequences from this. For Armenia, Iran is the only way to receive weapons,” stated Van Hambardzumyan.

The expert noted that during wartime, Georgia did not allow weapons to come from Russia to Armenia, while at the same time, it permitted the transit of military equipment from Turkey to Azerbaijan through its territory. Therefore, after the handing over of the corridor, Armenia will no longer receive arms and ammunition. “If Armenia is now in blockade, it will be under siege at that time. This will be the beginning of the end for Armenia,” emphasized Van Hambardzumyan.

Referring to the upcoming Turkey-Azerbaijan-Georgia military exercises in Tbilisi, the expert noted that Georgia has warm strategic relations with both countries. In his opinion, Turkey and Azerbaijan are expanding their influence in the region through Georgia as well. Therefore, these military exercises should serve as a warning for Armenia that the corridor cannot be given away.

“These exercises show that Armenia has only one friend—Iran, and if its borders are also given away, we will find ourselves in a blockade,” said the expert.

In response to the comment that Armenia also has an important role in this context since we are the ones deciding on the corridor issue, Van Hambardzumyan remarked that while Armenia decides on this matter, in his opinion, the Armenian authorities might not be entirely opposed to giving away the corridor. “That is what I fear. It implies that such a decision aligns with Armenia’s strategic interests, whereas it would be deadly for Armenia. We decide, but I want the authorities to think carefully. If the corridor is given away, Armenia will gain nothing,” summarized Van Hambardzumyan.