I R A N

[Yervant1]

TEHRAN TIMES

Iran - Aug 9 2023

Armenia praises Iran's contribution to regional stability

TEHRAN- Armenia’s Security Council secretary has lauded Iran’s contribution to regional security and stability.

Armen Valerii Grigoryan made the remarks on Tuesday in a meeting with Mahdi Sobhani, Iran’s ambassador to Yerevan.

Grigoryan emphasized the readiness of Armenia to advance comprehensive ties with Iran.

The continuation of political consultations, routine meetings of security officials, the importance of economic cooperation in fostering peace and stability in the region, as well as collaborative projects, were topics of discussion between the two parties.

For his part, Ambassador Sobhani said that mutual respect and trust are the cornerstones of ties between Iran and Armenia.

He also reaffirmed Iran’s will to improve ties with Armenia and contribute to regional peace and stability.

Iran and Armenia have a long history of cooperation dating back thousands of years, and they share a 44-kilometer-long border.

Armenia’s Grigoryan also held a phone call with Ali Akbar Ahmadian, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Council on Monday.

In the phone call, Ahmadian said that diplomacy and conversation are the greatest ways to settle international crises.

Ahmadian also said that Iran firmly backs the consolidation of enduring peace in the Caucasus region.

The security officials of Armenia and Iran also talked about a series of issues ranging from economic connections to issues of common concern, including events in the region.

Grigoryan congratulated Ahmadian on his new job and wished him luck, hoping that it would be beneficial to the friendly people of Iran.

In a meeting in Tehran last month, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi also told Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan that Tehran respects the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all neighboring nations and vehemently opposes any geopolitical shift in the region.

“Any foreign intervention will only complicate issues. The Islamic Republic of Iran supports the peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan and hopes that these talks will help establish and strengthen peace and security in the region as much as possible,” Raisi pointed out.

The Iranian president also emphasized the value of strengthening ties with Armenia and declared that nothing could stop the development of ties.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/487742/Armenia-praises-Iran-s-contribution-to-regional-stability

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Iran reiterates support to Armenia’s territorial integrity, sovereignty

15:33, 25 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, ARMENPRESS. Iran has reiterated its support to Armenia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Ambassador of Iran to Armenia Mehdi Sobhani, on August 25, said that Iran “defends the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Armenia.”

“Our principled policy is to develop relations with the Republic of Armenia. We defend Armenia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,” Ambassador Sobhani told reporters during an economic exhibition in Yerevan.

The ambassador added that Armenia and Iran have never had any problems in any area or level, especially since Armenia regained its independence.

 

 

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[Yervant1]

TEHRAN TIMES

Sept 2 2023

Iran envoy meets Armenian defense minister

1. Politics

September 2, 2023 - 17:47

TEHRAN – The Iranian Ambassador to Armenia, Mehdi Sobhani, met on Friday with Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan.

The meeting took place amid a new escalation between Yerevan and Baku.

“On September 1, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia Suren Papikyan received the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Armenia Mehdi Sobhani,” the Armenian defense ministry said in a statement.

The statement added, “The meeting was attended by the Defense Attaché of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Armenia, Colonel Bahman Sadeghin. A number of topics of Armenian-Iranian cooperation, as well as regional security issues, were discussed.”

Sobhani is a veteran Iranian diplomat with experience in serving in hotspots. Previously, he was Iran’s ambassador to Syria, where a decade-long conflict turned the Arab country into a hive of diplomatic activity.

He has been recently posted to Armenia, which is locked in a dispute with Azerbaijan over a number of issues, including an Azerbaijani insistence to open a land corridor cutting through southern Armenia.

According to the statement, the Armenian defense minister briefed the Iranian ambassador on “the details about the Azerbaijani provocation near Sotk, on September 1.”

Tensions flared up again between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia on Friday, with Yerevan accusing Baku of starting a new provocation that resulted in the killing of four Armenian servicemen.

In late August, Armenian media quoted the Iranian ambassador to Yerevan as stressing Tehran's support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Armenia.

“Our fundamental policy is to develop relations with the Republic of Armenia. Iran always defends the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Armenia. The two countries have never had any problems in any field or level, especially since Armenia regained its independence,” said Mehdi Sobhani while visiting an economic exhibition in Yerevan.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/488633/Iran-envoy-meets-Armenian-defense-minister

[Yervant1]

Iran Front Page

Sept 9 2023

Iran president reaffirms strong opposition to Azerbaijan construction of corridor in Armenian territory

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has reaffirmed Iran’s strong opposition to any geopolitical change along its border regions.

President Raisi was speaking with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on the phone on Saturday.

He was referring to Azerbaijan’s threats to carve out a chunk of territory along the Iranian-Armenian border to make a corridor it calls “Zangezur” which would obliterate the land border between Iran and Armenia.

Raisi also said cooperation with any foreign party, holding military drills with them and making suspicious trips would only make the situation more complicated.

The Iranian president further stressed that Iran is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan republic resolve their dispute.

Pashinian also hailed Iran’s effective and constructive role in establishing, maintaining and strengthening peace, stability and security in the region.

https://ifpnews.com/iran-president-strong-opposition-to-azerbaijan-construction-corridor-armenian-territory/

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Iran believes Armenia-Azerbaijan tensions won’t escalate into war

14:46, 13 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. Iran believes that the Armenia-Azerbaijan tensions won’t escalate into war, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani has said.

“We believe that no war will break out in the region,” Tasnim news agency quoted the Iranian Defense Minister as saying.

Highlighting Iran’s “explicit” stances on the tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Iranian defense minister said, “We won’t approve of any changes in the borders. The process we are observing indicates that no specific happening will occur.”

On September 7, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warned that Azerbaijan continues amassing troops and military equipment along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and around Nagorno-Karabakh.

 

 

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The MediaLine

Sep 12 2023

Tehran Announces Azerbaijan’s Commitment to Peaceful Relations With Armenia

STEVEN GANOT

09/12/2023

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani announced on Monday that Azerbaijan has officially communicated to Tehran its intentions of not pursuing military action against Armenia. During a weekly press conference in Tehran, Kanaani responded to questions about the escalating tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan, particularly over the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Kanaani said that Iran maintains an open channel with both nations and is alarmed by the potential for conflict. “Iran is committed to the security of its borders and against any change in the region’s geopolitical conditions,” he stated, urging both Azerbaijan and Armenia to respect territorial boundaries and minimize acts that could fan the flames of conflict.

Azerbaijan, last Saturday, accused Armenian forces of attacking its soldiers. Armenia has denied these allegations. Both countries have a long-standing dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh area dating back to 1988. Following a cease-fire in 1994, tensions rekindled last year before a Russia-brokered cease-fire took effect in November 2020.

https://themedialine.org/mideast-daily-news/tehran-announces-azerbaijans-commitment-to-peaceful-relations-with-armenia/

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TEHRAN TIMES

Iran - Sept 15 2023

Iran angry over Armenia-US drill, says it will complicate tension in the Caucasus

1. Politics

September 14, 2023 - 23:28

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian has expressed Tehran’s discontent over war games between the United States and Armenia, saying it will complicate the tensions in the south Caucasus region.

Iran’s foreign minister made the remarks in a telephone conversation with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan on Wednesday.

Armenia and the U.S. launched military exercises on September 11 that will last until September 20. The drills, codenamed "Eagle Partner", involve 85 U.S. and 175 Armenian troops.
The exercises come at a time of heightened tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Tensions over the region took a turn for the worse earlier this week as the two sides traded barbs and accused each other of deploying troops close to joint border.

The Iranian foreign minister said such disputes should be tackled from their roots in order to materialize durable peace in the South Caucasus, Press TV reported.

The most effective means to achieve comprehensive peace in the Caucasus region lies in prioritizing negotiation within the 3+3 format that includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia plus Russia, Turkey, and Iran, Tehran’s chief diplomat pointed out.

Russia has also reacted negatively to the exercises and summoned the Armenian ambassador to Moscow. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said he does not expect "anything good" to come out of the drills.

Russia has also said the exercises were cause for concern and urged Armenia to respect its obligations under the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a military alliance led by Moscow.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/489030/Iran-angry-over-Armenia-US-drill-says-it-will-complicate-tension

[Yervant1]

 

Oct 2 2023

 

Politician Says Iran Losing Key Gateway As Azerbaijan Takes Karabakh

The former head of Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee says Azerbaijan's attack on Karabakh is the beginning of a regional crisis.

Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh told Didban Iran [iran Monitor] website in Tehran that the country is facing a serious challenge as one of its gateways to Europe is threatened because of the military development in the Caucasus.

Falahatpisheh also pointed out that Iranian officials and military commanders who used to deliver passionate speeches about Iran's interests and authority in the region are silent in the face of threats to Tehran's interest.

During the past months, several Iranian military commanders and politicians warned Azerbaijan not to attack Armenia and avoid closing Iran's gateway to Europe at its borders with Armenia. As Azerbaijan expelled 120,000 Armenians from the enclave, it now threatens to enter and occupy the narrow strip of land connecting Iran via Armenia to Russia and Europe.

Iran has also long warned Azerbaijan about its close military relations with Israel, which is the Baku’s main arms supplier.

Mashregh News, a media outlet with close links to Iranian security and intelligence organizations on September 9, called an attack on Karabakh Iran's "red line" and maintained that such an action will entail consequences for Azerbaijan. The threat later proved to be hollow.

Iran's silence in the face of the development is apparently linked to a visit to Iran by Russia's Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu immediately before the attack. Meanwhile, Tehran's inaction was quite embarrassing for the regime and its military commanders considering months of bragging on IRGC media outlets and social media channels about Iran's swift reaction in case Azerbaijan attacked Karabakh.

Some Iranian social media users ridiculed the Iranian military and posted a photo of a smiling Iranian military attache' walking alongside victorious Azeri officers in Karabakh following the attack. One user wrote: "I wrongly thought that the Iranian regime's officials were trying to be strategically patient in the face of Azerbaijan's alliance with Israel."

Falahatpisheh told Didban Iran that "All this is an outcome of Iran's outdated foreign policy. At times we saw Iranian officials delivering irresponsible speeches at the borders with Azerbaijan. If what is happening now is Iran's real policy, those speakers should be accountable for agitating the society at the expense of Iran's national interests."

The former lawmaker said that the forced displacement of ethnic Armenians in Karabakh is not the end of the conflict. On the contrary, it marks the beginning of a new crisis in the region. Tens of thousands of Armenians have been displaced and their private and public rights poses a new challenge for the region's leaders. This is likely to turn into a chronic challenge not only for Azerbaijan and Armenia, but also for other players such as Turkey and Israel. Particularly because Iran will perceive Israel's presence at its borders as a true challenge.

He said: "Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan's stance during the conflict were more realistic that the other leaders involved. At least he acknowledged that Iranians are not going to like the closure of one of their key gateways to Europe and the outside world.

Meanwhile, Erdogan’s call for a meeting between the leaders of Turkey, Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia to discuss the aftermaths and implications of the attack on Karabakh, without mentioning Iran.

Falahatpisheh pointed out that Iran's policy about the region dated back to three decades ago and Tehran was oblivious to the developments and dynamics that have been taking shape during the past thirty years in the region.

He argued that as a result of the current conflict, Azerbaijan will have to allocate a major part of its annual budget to military spending. He added that by inviting countries from beyond the region into this conflict, Azerbaijan has made a mistake. It could have solved its problems with Armenia in a different way.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202310018322

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Iran's humanitarian aid cargo for peopleforcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh is in Syunik

19:47, 3 October 2023

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 3, ARMENPRESS. On October 3, Iran’s humanitarian aid cargo intended for people forcibly displaced from Nagorno Karabakh arrived in Syunik. "Armenpress" learned about this from the official page of Syunik governor's office on Facebook.

Syunik Governor Robert Ghukasyan and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Armenia Mehdi Sobhani welcomed the cargo in Kapan, the regional center.

It is noted that the humanitarian aid cargo, weighting 60 tons, contains food, hygiene items, warm blankets, heaters, and so on.

 

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1121124.html?fbclid=IwAR0s5rPVBUo-RR1MKGLuZgGO7SMXeUlGWfXKdbtONg5F4BzXOitybMzNV8o

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Iran ready to send observers to Armenia-Azerbaijan border - Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri

12:00, 4 October 2023

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Iran is ready to send observers to the borders of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Mehr News Agency reported citing the Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri.

General Bagheri made the remarks in a meeting with Armen Grigoryan, the Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia.

General Bagheri said that Iran is ready to contribute to reducing tensions in the Caucasus region.

The developments in the South Caucasus affect the security of the region, Mehr News Agency quoted Bagheri as saying. General Bagheri stressed that the continuation of tension in the region is not in the interest of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and other countries in the region.

He also called for taking measures to resolve disputes and tensions in the region.

Expressing Iran's readiness to dispatch observers to the borders of Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Iranian military official emphasized that there should not be any aggressive goal or intention behind the improvement of the defense capabilities of any country.

"Peace and tranquility in the region are in the interest of all countries, and security in the region must be ensured by the countries of the region, and the presence of extra-regional forces is contrary to the peace of the region," he further underlined.

Grigoryan, for his part, briefed the Iranian military official on the latest developments in the Caucasus region.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1121155.html?fbclid=IwAR23KQuHlyZIeXos2vx8Q_msDLzeVJSbWqLXADKvSGdLIB2tqtp7XNKCaHY

[Yervant1]

 

Tasnim News Agency, Iran

Oct 7 2023

 

Top Iranian General Urges Respect for Minorities in Karabakh

 

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – While the Republic of Azerbaijan has succeeded in reclaiming its territories in Nagorno-Karabakh, the rights of minorities in that region must be protected, the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces said.

In a speech at the Supreme National Defense University of Iran on Saturday, Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri said what the Republic of Azerbaijan has done in the Nagorno-Karabakh region in recent weeks was the restoration of its territorial integrity.

However, the Iranian commander said, all minorities across that region should be able to live with peace of mind and with equal rights like other citizens.

He noted that Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan are respectable neighbors of Iran in the Caucasus region and the Islamic Republic cares about the territorial integrity of both of them.

The general also expressed hope for the establishment of full peace in the Caucasus without any change in the geopolitics and borders of the region leading to tranquility, prosperity and welfare of people.

Major General Baqeri underlined that there is no justification for the continuation of war in the Karabakh region hereafter.

The separatist government of the Nagorno-Karabakh region, backed by Armenia, said last week it would dissolve itself by the end of 2023 after a three-decade bid for independence.

The decision triggered a massive exodus by the ethnic Armenians.

The region and sizable surrounding territories came under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by the Armenian military at the end of a separatist war in 1994. However, the Azerbaijan Republic regained the territories and parts of Nagorno-Karabakh itself after six weeks of fighting in 2020. The area is recognized internationally as part of Azerbaijan.

https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2023/10/07/2967657/top-iranian-general-urges-respect-for-minorities-in-karabakh/amp

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Iran invites Armenia to 3+3 format meeting

16:42, 20 October 2023

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, ARMENPRESS. Armenia has received an invitation from Iran to a foreign ministerial-level meeting of the 3+3 format (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia, Türkiye, Iran), Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan told reporters.

“As you know, the possible meeting is to take place in Tehran and we’ve received an invitation from the Iranian side. At this moment discussions are taking place with our colleagues from Iran, and when a final decision is made we will announce it,” Kostanyan said.

Azeri media, citing diplomatic sources, earlier reported that a 3+3 foreign ministerial will soon take place in Tehran.

Earlier in October, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said during an interview that Armenia is ready for the 3+3 format meetings.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1122429.html?fbclid=IwAR3bUWuEZtr3wVbpCqCsl3vDB-VEP-UGwAib464CWYxOi9CFRes_WKLH09g

[Yervant1]

IRAN FRONT PAGE

Oct 22 2023

Tehran to host ‘3+3’ format meeting on Caucasus

The foreign ministers of Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia will meet in the Iranian capital Tehran on Monday for the second meeting of “3+3” to discuss the issues of the South Caucasus region in order to help tackle the regional issues, according to Iranian news agency IRNA.

The 3+3 cooperation format includes the three South Caucasus countries of Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan plus Russia, Turkey, and Iran.

One of the outstanding goals of the regional group is to resolve the problems of the region without the interference of extra-regional and Western countries.

The meeting is also expected to discuss ties among the regional countries and promote political, economic, security, transit, and energy cooperation, IRNA reported.

A pivotal issue expected to be raised on Monday’s meeting is the peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The first meeting of the group was held last year in the Russian capital Moscow at the level of deputy foreign ministers without the participation of Georgia.

https://ifpnews.com/tehran-host-3-3-format-meeting-caucasus/

[Yervant1]

News.am, Armenia

Oct 23 2023

Mehrdad Bazrpash: We are against ‘Zangezur Corridor,’ we support Armenia territorial integrity.

Armenia is very important for Iran. The latter's Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Mehrdad Bazrpash, told this to reporters Monday in Yerevan.

"Armenia can play a key role within the framework of the North-South [road] corridor," he said.

According to the Iranian official, his country does not agree with the “Zangezur corridor” being circulated by Azerbaijan.

"We [iran] have stated many times that we do not agree with the 'Zangezur Corridor,' and in meetings with various officials of Azerbaijan we have said that we are against it. Our policy is based on peace in the Caucasus, and we condemn any kind of foreign interference. We believe that the countries of the region will be able to make the best decisions themselves," Bazrpash emphasized.

According to him, Iran has always supported Armenia's territorial integrity and will continue to do so.

"The infrastructures that are being created between the two countries are aimed at stable peace between the neighboring countries," the Iranian minister added.

He reminded that recently an agreement was reached with Azerbaijan regarding the Araz corridor, which passes from Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan via Iran.

https://news.am/eng/news/788395.html

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Armenia and Iran consider building second bridge on border

16:23, 23 October 2023

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and Iran have discussed the prospect of building a new bridge on the Armenian-Iranian border, the Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash said Monday in Yerevan.

Speaking at a signing ceremony of the agreement on constructing a section of the North-South Road, Bazrpash said Iran is ready to convey its rich experience in infrastructure development to Armenia.

The current bridge’s capacity is no longer sufficient to ensure the growing trade volumes, he said.

An agreement has been reached to launch a working group on this matter.

“The Iranian government is expressing its readiness on cooperating with Armenia around various programs,” the Iranian minister said, adding that many Iranian businesses want to be involved in the Armenian economy.

In turn, Armenian Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures Gnel Sanosyan said that the construction project of the southern part of North-South highway went through a rather difficult phase of discussions, but eventually reached its launch. He said that the project is of great significance for both countries.

“I am happy to note that there are multiple infrastructure programs on both sides, and the construction of the North-South highway’s southern part is being launched thanks to the joint work with Iranian companies,” Sanosyan said.

 

 

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[Yervant1]

Oct 23 2023

Iran’s president says foreign intervention is harmful to the Azeri-Armenian conflict

Recommendation to “refrain from intervention for peace and stability in the Caucasus region”
Raisi meets separately with foreign ministers of both countries in Tehran to mediate

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on the 23rd (local time) that for peace and stability in the Caucasus region, a disputed area between Armenia and Azerbaijan, foreign intervention could be “very harmful” and that regional issues should be resolved through dialogue and cooperation between the parties. He emphasized that

According to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, the President’s Office said that President Raisi made these remarks during separate meetings with the foreign ministers of the two countries who visited Tehran.

He told Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, “Iran has a great interest in the security of the countries in the Caucasus region and recognizes its importance,” and said that Iran would take action in resolving the problems between the two countries.

In response, the Armenian Foreign Minister thanked Iran for making strong statements and stepping forward for the development of the Caucasus region, saying that Iran’s help would be needed as there would be a need to hold talks and general meetings among regional countries “at this critically important time.” said.

During his meeting with Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, Iranian President Raisi said that Iran has always attached importance to dialogue between neighboring countries in the region to resolve regional problems, adding that there is a need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries concerned. He emphasized that there is.

Accordingly, the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister actively agreed with Iran’s position to prevent foreign intervention in regional issues. He said he was grateful for Azerbaijan’s efforts to preserve its territory.

On the evening of the 23rd, the foreign ministers of the two countries held a meeting with their Iranian, Russian and Russian counterparts and discussed the recent conflict in the southern Caucasus.

At this event, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian announced that he would actively support future peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Iran’s official IRNA news agency reported.

The Iranian minister warned that there is a risk that this region could become a site of competition between world powers, and repeatedly warned that it would be best to resolve regional disputes among the countries in the region.

Armenia and Arbaijan in the Caucasus Mountains region once again engaged in armed conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region on September 27.

The two countries, which have been fighting over this mountainous area for nearly 40 years since 1988, each speak differently about the situation on this day. Armenia claimed that Azerbaijan attacked Stepanakert, the capital of the disputed region, at 8 a.m. with helicopters and drones and fired tank shells, killing several civilians.

Azerbaijan, on the other hand, countered by saying that the Armenian military shelled the entire border area, killing civilians.

Although the ceasefire talks that the two countries agreed to in 1994 are maintained, intermittent clashes and local wars have continued since then. After a border clash on September 27, 2020, a cease-fire meeting was held again on November 9 of that year through Russian mediation.

As the fighting expanded again on September 19th of this year, Russia stepped forward the next day and achieved cease-fire talks.

Source: Donga

https://newsrebeat.com/world-news/176339.html

[Yervant1]

Iran International

Oct 26 2023

Azerbaijan Shifts Focus To Iran For Land Corridor Amid Armenia Impasse

Azerbaijan Republic has redirected its efforts away from seeking a land corridor through Armenia to connect with the Azerbaijani enclave of Nakhichevan.

Instead, the nation is now exploring discussions with its southern neighbor, Iran, as disclosed by a senior Azerbaijani official on Wednesday.

Hikmet Hajiyev, a top foreign policy advisor to President Aliyev, told Reuters that "Azerbaijan had no plans to seize Zangezur," referring to the proposed corridor aimed at connecting mainland Azerbaijan to the Nakhichevan enclave, which shares a border with Turkey, a close ally of Baku.

He explained, "After the two sides failed to agree on its opening, the project has lost its attractiveness for us — we can do this with Iran instead."

Armenia strongly opposed the notion of such a corridor, apprehensive that it might lead to additional territorial concessions following Azerbaijan's swift military campaign resulting in the seizure of the long contested Nagorno-Karabakh region in September.

Although internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory, Karabakh had been under the control of ethnic Armenians since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in the 1990s, prompting the mass displacement of approximately 120,000 ethnic Armenians into Armenia.

Azerbaijan had recently urged the inclusion of its long-standing request for a transport corridor through southern Armenia in the ongoing peace treaty negotiations.

Iran’s defense ministry earlier warned that it will not tolerate any changes to international borders in the region.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202310263268

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Iran kicks off massive military drills

19:23, 27 October 2023

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, ARMENPRESS. The Iranian Army's Ground Force has begun a massive military exercise in the central region of the country with the objective of assessing combat capabilities of various military units and testing new weaponry.

The drills started in the Nasrabad region of Isfahan on Friday..

A spokesperson for the drills provided details about the exercise, stating that it involves various units of the Army, including infantry, armored, missile, artillery, aviation, drones, as well as electronic, modern and cyber warfare units, IRNA reports.

 

 

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[MosJan]

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Iran's foreign minister to visit Turkey

18:18, 31 October 2023

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 31, ARMENPRESS. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian will pay an official visit to Ankara on Wednesday to discuss the conflict between Israel and Palestinians, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

''The foreign ministers of Turkey and Iran will also hold talks on bilateral ties and other regional issues,'' the ministry said in a statement.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1123231.html?fbclid=IwAR2a7KUzgrIL_WF13tlzx-IV7evmcJSmk5sK8ntmjc1UGtvG7MhrhQYNszg

[Yervant1]

Nov 9 2023

Iran-Armenia highway project agreed

By MJ Woof

A new highway stretch will help to improve transport connections between Iran and Armenia. The governments of the two nations signed an agreement for the construction of a 32km highway stretch between the two countries. Building the new highway is expected to cost US$214.6 million.

The project will be complex due to the geography and topography of the area, requiring the construction of 17 bridges and two tunnel sections. In addition, the work will include building six overpasses and five interchanges.
The project is due to commence at the end of 2023 and should take 36 months to complete. The new highway stretch will reduce journey times and improve safety for drivers over the existing road connections.

https://www.worldhighways.com/wh10/news/iran-armenia-highway-project-agreed-0

[Yervant1]

Al-Mayadeen

Dec 21 2023

Iran warns of turning Caucasus into battlefield

• ByAl Mayadeen English
  

• 
  

The Iranian and Armenian presidents speak over the phone regarding political developments in the region, as well as regional cooperation.

During a phone call with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi warned against attempts by countries outside the Caucasus to gain a foothold in the region, and also warned against making the region a battleground.

“The Islamic Republic’s policy toward the Caucasus is fixed,” he said, noting that it “must not turn into a field of competition between extra-regional countries, and its issues should be resolved by regional countries and away from foreign meddling.”

Regarding Armenia’s intention to develop road and railway connection routes between the two nations in addition to regional states, Raisi relayed Iran's support, calling the plans an effective step to set in place peace and protect the interests of neighboring nations.

Raisi affirmed that any step aimed at opening communication routes and infrastructures in the region, while simultaneously respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries is supported by Iran. He also called Iran's hosting of the 3+3 meeting in October a “constructive step” to strengthen regional cooperation.

Track record of developments

The 3+3 format cooperation mechanism includes the three South Caucasus countries: Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan plus Russia, Turkey, and Iran.

“Developing relations with neighbors and strengthening relations to ensure mutual interests and the interests of regional countries is the fundamental policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Raisi added.

On the other hand, Pashinyan stated that the increased interactions between both Armenia and Iran show the determination of the two neighbors to expand their bilateral ties in all fields.

Back in October, Raisi said that geopolitical change in the Caucasus is "unacceptable" as it would harm the interests of countries in the region. The Iranian President made the statement after hosting Azerbaijani and Armenian officials for talks on the successive developments in the Caucasus, specifically regarding Azerbaijan's military campaign in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/iran-warns-of-turning-caucasus-into-battlefield

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Iranian Foreign Minister to visit Armenia

06:36, 27 December 2023

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS. Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian will visit Armenia on December 27.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan will hold a meeting with FM Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Yerevan. The two foreign ministers will then hold a joint press briefing.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1126996.html?fbclid=IwAR2H8PZPwjZzTsQfMNguchXHI2t6oPSer-dqtsniUphciJVtK39D_EBOFlU

[Yervant1]

 

IRAN FRONT PAGE

Dec 28 2023

Iranian FM says Tehran defends Armenia sovereignty, favors regional peace

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has said that Iran will defend Armenia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

He made the remark during a press conference with his Armenian counterpart in Yerevan, Armenia’s capital. Amirabdollahian added that Armenia and Azerbaijan Republic are capable of reaching a lasting peace.

He further said that Armenia will set up a consulate general in the northwestern Iranian city of Tabriz.

In other comments, the Iranian foreign minister spoke about the Gaza war. He slammed the US for supporting the Zionist regime. Addressing the US, Amirabdolalhian said, “I warn them to immediately stop their vast military support for the Zionist regime”.

He urged Washington to not continue the failed experience of the past and to return to their own country.

https://ifpnews.com/iran-armenia-sovereignty-regional-peace/

[MosJan]