The Ministry of Defense refutes the information about the $500 million arms deal with Iran a day after the news spread

On July 24, the Iran International website reported that the Islamic Republic of Iran and Armenia signed a large, confidential arms deal worth USD 500 million.

According to the site’s source, who is a senior military official in the Middle East, the arms supply agreement between Tehran and Yerevan, signed between the two sides in the past few months, consists of several contracts.

Iran International claims to have obtained an exclusive list stating what military equipment shall be supplied from Iran to Armenia based on the latest agreement. It includes unmanned aerial vehicles such as Shahed 136, Shahed 129, Shahed 197 and Mohajer, and air defense missile systems such as Khordad, Majid and Arman.

The source of Iran International also reported that the agreement is not limited to the supply of drones and air defense systems. The agreement also covers intelligence cooperation, close military ties, training and the construction of bases in territory of Armenia.

The source also notes that during the visits of high-ranking delegations and technical teams from Iran over the recent months, the cooperation between the two countries in the field of security, including arms deals, was discussed.

The information was also circulated in the Armenian media (1,2), and Russian Telegram channels.

This information spread on July 24 was refuted by the Ministry of Defense of Armenia on July 25. The department characterized the rumors that Armenia has signed a USD 500 million arms deal with Iran as fictitious and made up.

“We do not respond to publications with imaginary, and made up content,” said the Press Secretary of the Ministry of Defense Aram Torosyan while answering the question of “Armenpress.”

Iran Internationalis a Persian-language news channel headquartered in London that targets Iranian viewers. It is broadcast free by satellite. Iran International was founded in May 2017 and broadcasts from both London and Washington. The TV channel is financed by a company with ties to Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

According to Middle East Eye, Iran International is a media platform for the Iranian opposition.

Iran International claims to have 20 million viewers despite satellite jammers used by the Iranian government. The network focuses primarily on news reporting, but also broadcasts programs and documentaries on science, art, technology, sports and culture.

Thus, the information spread by Iran International that the Islamic Republic of Iran and Armenia signed a large arms deal worth USD 500 million is untrue according to the Ministry of Defense of Armenia.

Syuzanna Hambardzumyan