US views Armenia as leverage against Iran: Malek Dudakov

Malek Dudakov, an Americanist political scientist, commented to Alpha News on the US administration’s congratulations on Armenia’s Independence Day and Washington’s statements about major economic projects. According to the expert, despite the loud US statements about projects in Armenia, neither significant investments nor a military presence in the region have followed over the past year.

“As we can see, overall, the American administration sent the Armenian government a fairly routine, quite ordinary congratulatory message on the occasion of Independence Day. At the same time, there is again talk of a major economic project, the so-called ‘Trump Road’ in the southern part of Armenia. But over the past year, however much this project has been discussed, we still haven’t seen any new specifics. Neither the possibility of some American armed forces or PMCs appearing in the region, which could affect the balance of power there, nor the appearance of any large-scale American investments,” Dudakov said.

According to the expert, Washington’s main interest in Armenia right now is tied to the US-Iran confrontation. The American side is interested in reducing Yerevan’s cooperation with Tehran, as well as with Moscow, but is not offering Armenia comparable alternatives in return.

“It’s obvious that the American administration now views Armenia rather as just another instrument within its broader confrontation with Iran. They are trying to isolate Iran and actively work with all of Iran’s neighboring countries, including its key trading partners. It’s clear that Armenia trades actively with Iran. Right now, the Americans would simply like Armenia to reduce its cooperation with Iran, and I think with Russia as well. But they’re not offering anything in return. All the projects that the Americans promised, whether it’s the construction of small modular nuclear power plants or anything else, remain on paper for now,” Dudakov concluded.