Why sanctions against Iran are hitting so hard ...Of Armenia

Every time sanctions against Iran are tightened, Armenia feels the impact. This is not surprising: the country relies almost entirely on two open transport routes — through Iran and Georgia. Georgia provides land access to Russia, Armenia’s main trading partner, while Iran plays a key role in energy supplies, trade, and economic diversification.

When new sanctions are imposed on Iran, banking operations become more complicated, logistics costs rise, and investors become more cautious. All of these effects inevitably reach the Armenian economy, even though the country is not formally subject to the sanctions.

Adding sanctions against Russia to the mix creates a double economic pressure. The lack of alternative routes makes the economy particularly vulnerable.

A potential solution lies in normalizing relations with Azerbaijan and opening transport corridors, which would provide Armenia with new routes, markets, and flexibility.

Until that happens, Armenia remains dependent on external factors, including sanctions against neighboring countries, as well as the consequences of its own foreign policy decisions. This is a reality that both the authorities and the political opposition need to recognize.