Risk of Iran road closure and looming disaster – Alen Ghevondyan on government inaction

Military actions in the Middle East, particularly around Iran, could become a true logistical, demographic, and security catastrophe for Armenia, while the country’s authorities, instead of using state instruments, place their hopes on prayers, political scientist Alen Ghevondyan said in an interview with Alpha News.

According to him, bombings of targets in Iran, including potential damage to oil wells, could trigger a large-scale environmental disaster. This, in turn, would force tens of millions of people to leave their homes.

“For safety reasons, people will begin relocating. To the north, there are two neighboring countries, Armenia and Azerbaijan,” Ghevondyan said.

He emphasized that about 25% of Armenia’s foreign trade is tied to Iran, and disruption of logistical routes would be a direct blow to citizens’ wallets.

“How will new markets be found and how will logistics to Armenia be ensured? This will directly lead to rising prices for all citizens,” he added.

Commenting on Nikol Pashinyan’s speech in the European Parliament, where the Prime Minister said Armenia could only “pray for the souls of the dead,” Ghevondyan stressed that the state is not the Church—it must act.

“The state should not pray; it is obliged to use all possible platforms and tools. The foreign policy statements of Armenia’s leader in no way correspond to the interests of the Republic of Armenia,” Ghevondyan said.

The political scientist also expressed puzzlement over how the authorities plan to confront challenges if they are consistently destroying relations with their strategic ally, Russia.

Regarding Azerbaijan’s position, Ghevondyan believes that despite diplomatic maneuvers, Ilham Aliyev will avoid involvement in the war, as it poses serious risks to his power.