Araştırma Makalesi

2. Iran and Armenia on the World Energy Map 
In contemporary times, the energy security of countries is considered not only 
economic but also one of the key elements of political, military, and social security. 
It is known that in the world's energy geopolitics, countries are divided into two 
groups: energy-rich and energy-deficient countries (Klare, 2008, p. 14-31). If such 
a classification is accepted as the basis, it is possible to include Armenia in the list 
of countries suffering from the shortage of traditionally non-renewable energy 
resources, and Iran in the list of countries with the richest of these resources. This 
is the main feature of energy diplomacy between the two countries. Approaching 
rich hydrocarbon resources in the context of "resource nationalism" (Şöhret, 2015, 
p. 5). Resource nationalism is the tendency of people and governments to assert 
control over natural resources located on their territory. As a result, resource 
nationalism conflicts with the interests of multinational corporations. Iran seeks to 
change the rules of the energy game as it sees fit in the interests of the nation-state 
and to use energy opportunities to achieve foreign policy goals in the Caucasus. 
Armenia is trying to use the power factor (the conception of electric energy) in 

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Kelbizadeh, E.
Güz/Fall 2022 
Cilt 12, 
Sayı 2, ss. 37-51 Volume 12, Issue 2, pp. 37-51 
39 
energy diplomacy to compensate for this advantage of Iran. This is not a great tool 
of influence against Iran. However, geopolitical processes and factors determine 
the cooperation between the two countries in the field of energy security. The most 
important areas of cooperation between the two countries in the field of energy 
security include the export of Iranian hydrocarbon resources to Armenia, as well as 
transit transportation of energy resources through this country, joint production, and 
exchange of electricity.
Energy security is one of the most important and effective 
issues for the national security of Armenia as a whole. 
Excluding the country's hydropower and nuclear power plants, Armenia is deprived 
of its main energy resources - oil and gas. This point makes energy security a 
priority. The passage of fuel pipelines from Russia to Armenia through dangerous 
and ethnic separatist regions of Georgia is increasing Iran's importance in this area, 
making it an important alternative to the security of Armenia's energy supply
(Heydari, 1383, p. 100) 
It should be noted that Iran has three scenarios for gas exports to Europe: The first 
of them is the Iran-Turkey-Europe route. This route has not been possible for a long 
time due to the possibility of Turkish-US allied relations. On the other hand, Iran's 
view of Turkey as a regional rival discourages the Islamic Republic from supporting 
projects that will serve to strengthen Turkey and make it an important hub for 
energy lines. The second route is Iran-Iraq-Syria-Lebanon-Europe. This direction 
passes through quite dangerous areas. Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon are unstable 
countries where terrorist groups are widespread. One of the goals of the idea of 
creating a "Shiite crescent" in Iran's Middle East policy is to create a security zone 
for the export of hydrocarbon resources. The third route is Iran - Armenia - Georgia 
- Europe.
Taking all this into account, it is possible to identify four areas of Iran-Armenia 
cooperation in the field of hydrocarbon resources and energy security after 1991:
1.
Cooperation in the field of liquefied gas sales from the Islamic Republic of 
Iran to Armenia in the period before the construction of natural gas 
pipelines; 
2.
Attempts to export Iranian natural gas to Armenia and European countries 
via the Armenia-Georgia-Black Sea route; 
3.
Electricity exchange and transit; 
4.
Organization of joint use of hydropower resources of border waters (Aras 
River).