I R A N

[Yervant1]

Public Radio of Armenia

Armenia - Oct 13 2022

Any change in Iran’s transit route with Armenia is rejected, Raisi tells Aliyev

Any change in Iran’s historical borders and in the transit route of the country with Armenia is rejected, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said, according to Mohammad Jamshidi, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Political Affairs to the Iranian President.

Writing on his official Twitter account, Jamshidi said that during a meeting on Thursday with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev, the Iranian president said that any change in Iran’s transit route with Armenia will receive a strong response from Tehran.

President Raisi also added that any European military presence in the region is unacceptable.

He stressed that domestic issues will not divert Iran’s attention from the country’s strategic interests.

https://en.armradio.am/2022/10/13/any-change-in-irans-transit-route-with-armenia-is-rejected-raisi-tells-aliyev/

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Iran to hold large-scale military exercises near Azerbaijani border

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16:59, 13 October 2022

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 13, ARMENPRESS. The Commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Ground Forces Brigadier-General Mohammad Pakpour announced upcoming large military exercises in the north Iran in the coming days.

"In the coming days, the massive exercise dubbed "Eghtedar/Power" of the IRGC ground forces will be held at the northern borders of the country at the Aras region by the regional IRGC Ashura military base," Mehr News Agency quoted the Brigadier-General as saying.

He stated that the holding of the large exercise is in line with the implementation of the mission according to an annual plan with the aim of enhancing the combat preparedness of the IRGC Ground Forces.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1094809.html?fbclid=IwAR0HB39jz0vPzdz371tERzNGfFdiwfHcHDAivBNx29C2eL98Ty7Nzq-p0os

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Iranian President reminds the President of Azerbaijan that any change of historical borders is unacceptable

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18:11, 13 October 2022

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 13, ARMENPRESS. Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi once again emphasized that any changes in historical borders and regional geopolitics are unacceptable for Iran during his meeting with Azerbaijan's President Aliyev, ARMENPRESS reports Mohammad Jamshidi, deputy head of the Iranian president's office for political affairs, said on Twitter.

"President Raisi made it clear to Azerbaijani President Aliyev that any change in historical borders, regional geopolitics, Iran-Armenia transit routes is not tolerable. Also, any European military presence under any guise is rejected. The West cannot distract us strategically," Jamshidi said.

The presidents of Iran and Azerbaijan met in Kazakhstan within the framework of the conference on strengthening cooperation and trust in Asia.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1094821.html?fbclid=IwAR0CGYXs5OrL1IY_QQiDWo5tQXkbNISltSGy2-1dmwOe_LELi9_SvHeVYMY

[MosJan]

[Yervant1]

PRESS TV, Iran

Oct 15 2022

Iranian carmaker to launch production line in Armenia

Saturday, 15 October 2022 5:24 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 15 October 2022 5:24 PM ]

File photo shows Iranian carmaker the IKCO’s Tara model on display during an international car show.

A senior official from Iran’s industries ministry (MIMT) says an Iranian carmaker and a private investor in Armenia will team up to launch a car production facility in the Caucasian country.

Alireza Peymanpak, who heads Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization, said on Saturday that the MIMT and Armenia’s ministry of economy have been pursuing the joint project for manufacturing an Iranian car model in Armenia.

“An initial agreement has been reached for setting up the production line for an Iranian-made car in Armenia and a feasibility study is being carried out on the basis of this agreement,” Peymanpak was quoted as saying in an MIMT report.

He said Armenia would not charge import duties on Iranian car model planned for local production in the country due to a trade agreement between Iran and the EAEU bloc of regional countries that include Armenia.

“(we hope) we could take the maximum benefit of this opportunity and turn Armenia into a hub for manufacturing and exporting of Iranian goods and products,” the official said.

The deputy Iranian industries minister would not elaborate on the name of the Iranian car model being considered for joint manufacturing in Armenia.

That comes as Iran’s largest carmaker the IKCO has already launched exports of finished cars to Armenia with a pilot shipment of 200 sedans supplied to the country last month.

The IKCO had said in September that it would supply its Tara and Dena models to customers in Armenia. The company said it had launched a dealership and other facilities in Yerevan to publicize other products and increase its exports.

https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/10/15/691002/Iran-carmaker-Armenia-production-MIMT-statement

[MosJan]

[Yervant1]

Oct 17 2022

Iran’s Guards Launch War Games Along Armenia, Azerbaijan Border

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) has launched a large-scale military drill in the northwestern region of Aras along the borders of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The IRGC on Monday kicked off its three-day military exercise -- codenamed “IRGC Ground Force’s Might” -- in areas striding the northern sectors of East Azarbaijan and Ardabil provinces.

IRGC Ground Force Commander Brigadier-General Mohammad Pakpour said the war game is part of an annual routine aimed at boosting the force’s combat preparedness.

Heliborne parachute operations, night raids, helicopter combat ops, and suicide drone operations were carried out during the first day of the exercises. Construction of a temporary bridge over the Aras River which separates Iran from Azerbaijan and Armenia, seizure and control of supply roads and heights, and offensive as well as destructive operations against designated targets constitute other parts of the drill.

In mid-September, Iran warned that it would not tolerate any seizure of territory from Armenia by Azerbaijan after military clashes broke out between its two northern neighbors.

Armenia accuses Azerbaijan of attacking its towns to escape negotiating over the status of the mainly Armenian-populated enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan.

Tehran in the past has also expressed alarm at alleged Israeli military presence in Azerbaijan.

 

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202210171439

[Yervant1]

Oct 14 2022

Iran Increasingly Uneasy About Threats to Common Border With Armenia

Publication: Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 19 Issue: 152

By: Vali Kaleji

October 14, 2022 05:56 PM

The Armenian flag is hoisted at a military base on the border with Iran (Source: Public Domain)

In the southernmost part of the Caucasus, Iran shares a 750-kilometer (km) border with Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan region, of which about 138 km (Zangilan, Jabrayil and Fuzuli) had been controlled by Armenian forces after the end of the First Nagorno-Karabakh War (1991–1994). After the Second Karabakh War in 2020, these areas returned to the sovereignty of Azerbaijan. For its part, Iran’s border with Armenia is only 40 km and yet is considered a lifeline for the three million Armenians whose landlocked country has been regionally isolated by Azerbaijan and Turkey (see EDM, December 18, 2020).

Before the Second Karabakh War, Tehran was not particularly concerned about its border with Armenia. After the war, Iran’s main concern became Azerbaijan’s hopes to realize the Zangezur Corridor by force, in such a way that the 40-km border between Iran and Armenia could be compromised or blocked (OC Media, April 21, 2021). In truth, Iran has no objection to the implementation of the ninth clause of the 2020 Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which includes granting Azerbaijan communication access to Nakhchivan. During the past three decades, communication between Baku and this region only took place via Iran. While Tehran does not object to this arrangement, it strongly opposes the change of international borders in the Caucasus, the blocking of the Iranian-Armenian border and the possibility of renewed conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

For this reason, the massive maneuvers of Iran’s army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on its northwestern border in September and October 2021, unprecedented in the three decades since the collapse of the Soviet Union, signals the level and depth of Iran’s concerns about recent developments in the South Caucasus (Valdaiclub.com, January 18). Indeed, the outbreaks of violence between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the repeated threats of Baku to open the Zangezur Corridor by force, Turkey’s ongoing support of Azerbaijan and Russia’s silence and ambiguous position regarding the region have further exacerbated Tehran’s concerns. On the sidelines of the 7th Summit of the Astana Peace Process in Tehran, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and clearly delineated that “if there is a policy to block the Iranian-Armenian border, the Islamic Republic will oppose it because this border has been a communication route for thousands of years” (Fars News Agency, July 19).

Recent fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan in September 2022 resulted in nearly 300 deaths and dozens of injuries on both sides, further aggravating Iran’s concerns. Some news sources even announced that Tehran had deployed 50,000 troops to the Armenian border (EuroWeekly, September 16). Indeed, Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the IRGC’s ground forces, on September 16, visited the units located on the border with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan, stating that their readiness level is high (EuroWeekly, September 16). Additionally, the chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Mohammad Bagheri, during a military parade on the anniversary of the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988), declared, “Iran will not tolerate any change in the borders in the region and call on Azerbaijan and Armenia to solve the issues between them peacefully, through dialogue. We do not seek conflicts and wars, but we do not remain silent when it is necessary to resist them” (Iran Press News Agency, September 22).

Several reasons underline Iran’s concerns regarding the possible blocking or destruction of its border with Armenia. If this border is destroyed, all of Iran’s northwestern regions will border Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan—and the number of Iran’s neighbors will decrease from 15 to 14. Iran will also lose one of its most crucial transit routes to the Caucasus, as the land route through Iran and Armenia that reaches Georgia is a main part of the Persian Gulf–Black Sea Corridor. The Iranian government’s decision to open a consulate in Kapan, the administrative center of Armenia’s Syunik Province bordering the Islamic Republic (Azatutyun.am, December 29, 2021) and the reciprocal decision of the Armenian government to open a consulate in the northwestern Iranian city of Tabriz (Tehran Times, June 18) clearly indicate Tehran’s desire to preserve and strengthen this transit route. Indeed, in terms of diversifying transit routes, Iran hopes to maintain this corridor (Iran-Armenia-Georgia) parallel to the North-South Corridor (Iran-Azerbaijan-Russia).

Additionally, in terms of water resources in the Aras river basin, Turkey and Armenia are “upstream” countries, while Iran and Azerbaijan are “downstream” countries. Therefore, if Baku captures the southern part of Syunik Province along the Zangezur Corridor, then Azerbaijan will become an “upstream” country, leaving Iran as the only “downstream” country with limited control over the water supply.

In a wider sense, Iran also has deeper concerns about geopolitical change and the balance of power in the region. In this context, Tehran considers the regional roles of Turkey, Israel, the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as extremely influential. From this point of view, Iran, unlike Russia and others, does not view the tensions in the South Caucasus merely as a “border clash” between Yerevan and Baku (Valdaiclub.com, January 18). In truth, opening the Zangezur Corridor would also provide direct military access for Turkey as a NATO member in the Caucasus.

Indeed, a significant number of Iranian elites and experts believe that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s emphasis on “uniting the geography of Turkic world” via the Zangezur Corridor and the expansion of Turkey’s presence in the South Caucasus will strengthen Pan-Turkism in the region, which could incite ethnic and separatist sentiments (Mediamax.am, November 12, 2021). In addition, considering the close relations between Azerbaijan and Israel, Tehran is worried that, if Baku does capture the southern part of Syunik Province, this will bolster Israel’s intelligence, espionage and security presence vis-à-vis Iran.

As a result, although, among Iran’s 15 neighbors, its border with Armenia is the shortest, this 40-km border is of the utmost strategic importance for Tehran. Although the Azerbaijani authorities have stated many times that there is no real threat to the Iranian-Armenian border, Tehran’s reactions in the past two years and after the Second Karabakh War clearly show that Iran is extremely worried about the realization of the Zangezur Corridor by force, especially if this compromises its highly consequential border with Armenia.

It seems that the new diplomatic developments of the past two months have not reduced Tehran’s worries. In Prague, a quadrilateral meeting between the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan together with the presidents of France and the European Council took place, as well as the historic meeting of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan with Turkish President Recent Tayyip Erdogan. Yet, during both the meeting between Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Pashinyan on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and the meeting between the Raisi and Aliyev in Astana, Kazakhstan, Iran’s opposition to changing international borders in the Caucasus was clearly emphasized. As such, Brigadier-General Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Ground Forces (IRGC) announced that “the massive exercise dubbed ‘Eghtedar/Power’ of the IRGC ground forces will be held at the northern border in the Aras region at the regional IRGC Ashura military base” (Shargh Daily, October 13). Tehran’s decision to hold this military maneuver one year after large-scale military exercises near the Azerbaijani border, clearly shows that “Iran increasingly uneasy about threats to its common border with Armenia” (Eurasianet, Sptember 30, 2021).

https://jamestown.org/program/iran-increasingly-uneasy-about-threats-to-common-border-with-armenia/

[Yervant1]

Oct 19 2022

Iran Launches Pontoon Bridge Near Azerbaijan Border Signaling Threat

2 hours ago2 minutes

Author: Iran International Newsroom

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard in a provocative move has launched a pontoon bridge on the northwesternmost river of Aras near the border with Azerbaijan Republic.

A video published by the IRGC-affiliated website Tasnim shows on Wednesday the ground forces set up pontoon bridges on the river for the armored vehicles and tanks to pass.

It has also been said in the video that installing these bridges have a message and the target audience will receive and understand.

The IRGC special forces also conducted heliborne operations with Mil Mi-17 helicopters on the third day of their wargames in the Aras region.

On the sidelines of the maneuvers Commander of the IRGC Hossein Salami threatened the neighbors that “Iran’s fraternity policy continues as long as there is no plot hatched by the enemies.”

“We have interests in this region, so if something happens in any corner of it, our interests will be jeopardized, then we won’t remain neutral and will defend our interests,” said Salami.

In the meantime, the IRGC has also published a tweet in Arabic saying, “When we split the waters and rescue you!”

Some social media activists have interpreted this tweet as a threat aimed at Azerbaijan Republic saying that since its establishment in 1979 the Islamic Republic has always tried to create crises outside its borders to make up for its inability to deal with domestic problems.

“That’s why the Islamic regime launched a war with Iraq to crack down on its opposition inside Iran back in the 1980’s,” says a video tweeted by a user.

In mid-September, Iran warned that it would not tolerate any seizure of territory from Armenia by Azerbaijan after military clashes broke out between its two northern neighbors.

Azerbaijani troops entered Armenia’s southern region in a move that seemed aimed at seizing territory and cutting off Armenia from Iran. Tehran has warned that it will not tolerate losing its land connection with Yerevan.

Armenia accuses Azerbaijan of attacking its towns to avoid negotiating over the status of the mainly Armenian-populated enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh inside Azerbaijan.

Tehran in the past has also expressed alarm at alleged Israeli military presence in Azerbaijan.

The provocative launch of pontoon bridge and Iran’s message to its neighbors come at a time that the clerical regime has received the strong message from protesters who now shout, “Death to Khamenei” and “Death to Dictator” every day and night to topple the regime.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202210192320

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Iran will not allow its communication route with Armenia to be blocked – Foreign Minister

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16:13, 19 October 2022

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 19, ARMENPRESS. Iran will not allow its communication route with Armenia to be blocked, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said.

“Iran will not allow its communication route with Armenia to be blocked, and in order to achieve that goal the Islamic Republic of Iran has also started military exercises in this region”, IRNA quoted the Iranian FM as saying.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1095227.html?fbclid=IwAR3BW23FOYLhcoW3Cq2TS2sxdOK8seVz2fJR15KilTwXCjrAtDfvSdlnP9o

[MosJan]

at the same time Iran don't wish to see any wester presents in Armenia

[Yervant1]

MEHR News Agency, Iran

Oct 20 2022

"We consider Armenia's security as Iran's security"

TEHRAN, Oct. 20 (MNA) – The Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has told his Armenian counterpart that "We consider the security of Armenia as the security of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the security of the region."

Hossein Amirabdollahian, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran met with the Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan at the compound of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia in Yerevan on Thursday.

Amir-Abdollahian said "I am pleased that during this trip we will witness the reopening of the Iranian Consulate General in Kapan."

He added, "This development is another sign of the depth of historical relations between Iran and Armenia."

The Iranian minister stated, "We have clearly stated our opposition to any geopolitical change of borders in the Caucasus region."

He added, "Military conflicts between Azarbaijan and Armenia have created concerns in the region."

Amir Abdollahian also said, "The Caucasus region is going through a sensitive period."

He added, "We believe that respecting the territorial integrity of countries as a principle in the Caucasus region should be given serious attention."

The Iranian foreign minister stated, "We are happy that the relations between Tehran and Yerevan are on the right track and progressing," adding "We consider the security of Armenia as the security of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the security of the region."

He also emphasized, "We have clearly declared our concern about any action that causes the presence of foreign forces in the region."

He added, "Tonight is a good opportunity to have new agreements regarding the development of relations in various fields."

KI/5613460

https://en.mehrnews.com/news/192706/We-consider-Armenia-s-security-as-Iran-s-security

[Yervant1]

Oct 21 2022

Iranian consulate opened on southern border of Armenia, in city of Kapan

• JAMnews
  

• Yerevan

Opening of the Iranian Consulate in Armenia

“Iran considers the security of Armenia and the region to be its security. Our policy is to respect territorial integrity as well as internationally recognized borders,” Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said at the opening of the Iranian Consulate General in Kapan.

During a joint press conference with his Armenian counterpart, he also stated that Tehran is against the presence of foreign representatives in the region, both in Armenia and Azerbaijan. The minister was likely referring to the EU monitoring mission, currently on the Armenian border with Azerbaijan.

Other details of the official visit of the Iranian Foreign Minister; the most important statements made by Abdollahian in Armenia.

• Will the OSCE send an observer mission to Armenia? Technical team arrives
  

• Two years of no peace, no war: trilateral document undergoes strength test
  

• “The United States has a role to play in the region.” American congressman in Yerevan
  

Iranian consulate opened in Kapan, Armenian consulate to open in Tabriz

The Iranian and Armenian ministers attended the opening ceremony of the Iranian Consulate General in Kapan.

Foreign Ministers at the opening ceremony of the Consulate General in Kapan

This is the first Iranian Consulate General in Armenia. The Iranian government decided to open it at the end of last year.

Diplomatic relations between Armenia and Iran were established in December 1992. In the same year, embassies were opened in the capitals. According to information published on the website of the Armenian Foreign Ministry, Iran is one of Armenia’s important trading partners and “traditionally enters the top five.”

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said that Iran’s decision to open a consulate general in the Syunik region is very valuable. He called this southern region the core of Armenia.

Though it was here just a month ago that the Azerbaijani Armed Forces invaded the territory of Armenia, Iran did not cancel the decision to open its diplomatic mission.

The Armenian minister also confirmed Armenia’s intention to open a consulate general in Tabriz.

The Iranian Foreign Minister stated that the Syunik region is one of the most important sections of the North-South highway, and Iran considers Armenia one of the most important transit countries for this project:

“And we will make every effort to further develop this transit route, as well as freight and passenger traffic along this route.”

The Armenian media also noticed and quoted the words of the Iranian Consul General about the inviolability of the territory of Armenia.

“We do not recognize any changes in the borders at the official level and wish to see a peaceful, stable Armenia. Our message here is peace and friendship. Iranians are people of action, and we hope that no country will allow itself to carry out any actions outside its borders, otherwise Iran will show proportionate opposition,” Morteza Abedin Varamin said.

“They have to start everything from scratch”: Armenian economist on entering the Iranian market

Economist Armen Ktoyan believes that Armenian entrepreneurs underestimate the Iranian market, which possesses untapped potential for trade

“We have declared our position” – Abdollahian

Iran has regularly voices its opposition to any closure of the border with Armenia.

Iranian Foreign Minister confirmed in Yerevan that a change of historical borders in the region is a red line for Tehran.

According to Abdollahian, Azerbaijani President Aliyev, at a meeting with Iranian President Raisi, “clearly stated that they do are pursuing geographic and border changes in the region.”

“We have announced our position, issued appropriate warnings at the highest level regarding geopolitical and border changes in the region. Iran has the ability to prevent and resist the fulfillment of any such idea,” the Iranian Foreign Minister said.

“We highly appreciate the principled position of Tehran”

According to the Armenian Foreign Minister, the key topic of negotiations with the Iranian counterpart was regional security and stability.

Ararat Mirzoyan said that Yerevan and Tehran have a common position – problems between the countries of the region should be resolved through negotiations and constructive dialogue, excluding the use of force or the threat of its use.

“We highly appreciate the principled and clear position of friendly Iran regarding the territorial integrity of Armenia, as well as the efforts of the Iranian side aimed at establishing stability and peace in the region,” the head of the Armenian Foreign Ministry said.

“In case of pressure on Armenia, Iran will intervene”: opinion

Iran scholar Emma Begijanyan believes that the strategic and national security interests of Armenia and Iran coincide

At what stage is the Persian Gulf-Black Sea program?

During a press conference of the foreign ministers of Iran and Armenia, Armenian journalists were interested in the status of the Persian Gulf-Black Sea international transport corridor project, and what steps are being taken to attract other countries, in particular India, to it.

The international transport corridor Persian Gulf-Black Sea is a major international project initiated by Iran. Its goal is to economically link the ports of the Persian Gulf and the Black Sea. Iran put forward this idea in 2016. Iran itself is involved in the project, as well as Armenia, Georgia, Greece and Bulgaria. However, other countries of the Persian and Gulf of Oman, including India, may also join.

The Iranian Foreign Minister replied that this was one of the important topics of discussion with the Armenian authorities. Abdollahian suggests that a trilateral Armenia-Iran-India format may fulfill the aim of the project.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia did not say anything specific about India, noting only that the corridor would be of interest to this country as well:

“We, like Iran, like Bulgaria, have already initialed an agreement on this matter, negotiations are underway with other countries, including with countries that were not initially involved in this process.”

https://jam-news.net/iranian-consulate-opened-on-southern-border-of-armenia-in-city-of-kapan/

[MosJan]

Armenia Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place... more stable partners then Russia "turky" - or Iran . let see haw this going to work out

[MosJan]

can Pashinian be the mediator between the USA - West and iran, can he make this happen for Iran?



remember we had an Armenian who resolved Cuban Cuban Missile Crisis? can he be Anastas Mikoyan of modern era ? i'm not saying his the greatest Pashinyan that is. but it's a option.. west can use more stable gas & oil syupplays .. Iran can use more $$$$... mini revolution ? referendum in Iran can save the faith of that country..

[MosJan]

[Yervant1]

PRESS TV

Iran - Oct 30 2022

Iran warns about consequences of foreign presence in region

Sunday, 30 October 2022

Speaking to his Azerbaijani counterpart, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has reiterated Iran’s strong opposition to any foreign presence in the region, stressing that cooperation between regional countries is the key to their collective peace and security.

"We consider the regional security to be a contiguous category, and consider the Azerbaijani republic's security to be [integrated with] that of the region and that of our own," the top diplomat told Jeyhun Bayramov during a phone call on Sunday.

"We declare our opposition to any deployment of foreign forces in the region and deem it to be contradictory to the regional peace, stability, and cooperation," the Iranian official added.

The Islamic Republic, he said, is of the opinion that foreign presence complicates the status quo in the region.

Tehran believes that it is only "regional mechanisms" that could help resolve the region's problems, including the 3+3 mechanism of cooperation among regional countries, which features the three South Caucasian countries of Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan plus Russia, Turkey, and Iran, Amir-Abdollahian stated.

The Iranian foreign minister noted that the Islamic Republic would invariably keep up efforts to resolve standing differences between Azerbaijan and its estranged neighbor Armenia.

His remarks came against the backdrop of a bubbling and periodically deadly dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but has been populated by ethnic Armenians.

Last month, simmering tensions between the neighbors caused a fresh escalation over the region, leaving nearly 100 soldiers dead on both sides. This was the most recent conflict between the Caucasus' countries since thousands were killed in a 44-day war over the territory that ended in November 2020.

For his part, the Azeri official touted Iran for its attempts at contributing to regional peace and stability.

He likewise conveyed Baku's objection to foreign deployments in the region, emphasizing the importance of continued regional cooperation, including within the 3+3 format.

Bayramov, meanwhile, said sustained direct contact between the Iranian and Azeri counterparts indicated the depth of the countries' relations, adding, "We attach importance and respect to these ties."

The Azeri official also welcomed a planned trip to his country by Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf, calling it an important step towards further development of the bilateral ties.

https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/10/30/691867/Iran-warning-foreign-presence-region-Armenia-Azerbaijan

[MosJan]

[MosJan]

[MosJan]

[Yervant1]

Nov 1 2022

Iran Battles Turkish Influence in South Caucasus

Written By: Emil Avdaliani

Fearful of losing ground to Turkey and Azerbaijan, Iran increasingly supports Armenia.

Iran is trying to regain its influence in the South Caucasus. In October, it announced large-scale military exercises, dubbed “Mighty Iran”, near the border with Azerbaijan. The drills, a repeat of last year’s, should be seen as an _expression_ of the growing discomfort within the Islamic Republic toward what it sees as the worsening geopolitical situation in the South Caucasus.

The wargames were held along the Aras river, which mostly separates Iran from Azerbaijan, and involved practicing river crossings, a signal of the offensive possibilities of the drills. The date of the exercises also coincided with October 2020, when Azerbaijan reclaimed lost territories from Armenia along Iran’s northern border.

The South Caucasus are often termed “troubled” by outsiders given a history of invasion, shifting boundaries, and internecine warfare. The three small states of the region, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, are surrounded by a more powerful and populous triad of neighbors; Russia, Turkey, and Iran, each of which has an intimate interest in developments.

Following the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War of 2020, Iran’s power in the region diminished, with Turkey the main winner because of its support for Azerbaijan’s military triumph. Iran worries that its closest partner, Armenia, is now seriously weakened, while emboldened Azerbaijan is suspected of pushing for further major territorial changes. The Islamic Republic, therefore, has good reason to try to reshape events to conform to its national interests.

Although Iran is officially silent, the underlying sentiment behind its recent moves is motivated partly by Azerbaijan’s newfound strength and partly by Turkey’s. The latter has substantially increased its position in the South Caucasus following the 2020 war. Ankara supplied Azerbaijan with modern weaponry, including drones, trained its soldiers, signed an official treaty of alliance, and set its gaze toward the Caspian Sea and further into Central Asia, especially Turkmenistan. Turkey’s growing role might also be seen as benefitting the West (it is, after all, a NATO member), which adds another element to Iran’s discomfort. Some now see the prospect of an arc of powerful alliance Turkic states emerging along its northern borders.

https://cepa.org/article/iran-battles-turkish-influence-in-south-caucasus/

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Representatives of Iranian construction companies to arrive in Armenia

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17:22, 3 November 2022

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. Quite a big activism is being observed in the Armenian-Iranian relations in the recent period.

Summing up the results of his recent visit to Iran, the Armenian Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures Gnel Sanosyan told Armenpress that they had an agenda full of meetings and concrete agreements.

“I should note with pleasure that our ministry is deeply engaged in the Armenian-Iranian activities in various directions, they are very important sectors. And our frequent visits are conditioned by this. This visit as well was quite full of meetings. Firstly, we have fixed the process of the agreements reached earlier, as well as reached a number of other important agreements. It relates also to the road construction sector”, the minister said.

He stated that there is a shortage of construction companies and some construction materials in the field of construction activity in Armenia. In this context the Iranian partners were proposed to send construction companies to Armenia.

“There is already an agreement that a working group will soon visit Armenia connected with the construction sector. We have a major activity in construction sector in various directions, such as construction of schools, kindergartens, water lines, reservoirs. Sometimes we have a major problem with cement in the country, and there is a need to import additional cement. As you see, there is a broad framework for cooperation. There is a readiness for cooperation by Iran. I want to note that from a geographical point of view their participation to our construction projects is quite convenient. As you know, most of our projects falls on Syunik province”, Gnel Sanosyan said.

Another important achievement was the decision to extend the “gas for electricity” agreement up to 2030. The minister said during a discussion they managed to come to a common conclusion and have quite a good document in the form of a memorandum.

“This supposes that the respective working groups will work within a month, and changes that were outlined will be made in the agreement. This is very beneficial to both the Armenian and the Iranian sides, and is a real opportunity to increase the amount of gas coming from Iran to Armenia, and vice versa, to increase the volume of electricity supply from Armenia to Iran”, he stated.

He said this is a key fact for completing the construction of the Iran-Armenia third power transmission line. The works have been done 85%. The minister said they are trying to find mechanisms for solving the problems and completing the works. The construction is planned to end in 2023.

Interview by Anna Gziryan

Cameraman Hovhannes Mkrtchyan

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1096407.html?fbclid=IwAR1yzv3yXWIOqdoHRTGxK4bcjudGkrgXugsCu_vKKRbAo247kbOAk1UgV6A

[MosJan]

[Yervant1]

TEHRAN TIMES

Iran - Nov 22 2022

Closer ties with Armenia will boost South Caucasus security, stability: Bagheri Kani

1. Politics
   

November 22, 2022 - 22:5

TEHRAN- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Bagheri Kani stressed on Monday that closer cooperation with Armenia will benefit both countries' interests and the South Caucasus region's stability and security.

Bagheri Kani stated the Islamic Republic is steadfast in its pursuit of further promoting bilateral relations during a meeting with visiting Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan in Tehran.

The Armenian envoy, for his part, praised Iran for upholding the territorial integrity of his country and declared that Yerevan is committed to enhancing its relationship with Tehran, notably in the trade and commercial sectors.

He expressed optimism for the development of the relations between Iran and Armenia.

Bagheri Kani and Safaryan both spoke on recent regional events and emphasized the significance of fostering closer ties between the nations in the region.

Earlier on Sunday, Safaryan, who was leading a group on an official tour to Tehran, met with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian.

Amir Abdollahian argued that the opening of Iran's consulate in the city of Kapan located in the southernmost Armenian province of Syunik in October was a necessary and crucial move to bolster trade and commercial ties.

Safaryan underlined the need to implement the agreements already made between the two parties and stated Tehran and Yerevan possess enormous capacities to enhance economic cooperation.

He also commended Iran for taking a principled and helpful stance on the need for states to protect their territorial integrity and for opposing any redrawing of international boundaries.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/478953/Closer-ties-with-Armenia-will-boost-South-Caucasus-security

[MosJan]