Iran FM hopeful lasting peace in Caucasus within reach in coming months

Iran’s foreign minister expresses optimism that a lasting peace in the South Caucasus region can be established in the coming months through the 3+3 format to put an end to long-running tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia.  

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks in a joint presser with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan on Wednesday, referring to a group, including the three South Caucasian nations, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia, as well as three neighboring powers, Turkey, Russia, and Iran.

It was created in 2020 to promote peace and development in South Caucasus and resolve outstanding issues such as the status of Karabakh region.

Amir-Abdollahian said Iran believes that the establishment of a lasting peace in the South Caucasus region will help boost the International North–South Transport Corridor, which connects northern Europe to South Asia.

He said an agreement on a permanent cessation of hostilities in the region in which regional countries act as guarantors could have plentiful benefits for all sides of the conflict.

Amir-Abdollahian also announced Iran’s readiness for the establishment of an Armenian consulate in the northwestern Iranian city of Tabriz.

The top Iranian diplomat said the Islamic Republic seeks expansion of relations with Armenia and both sides have a positive assessment of the whole process of cooperation.

Iran’s foreign minister arrived in the Armenian capital on Wednesday to hold consultations on efforts to bring about peace between Yerevan and Baku as well as some other pressing issues.

On Tuesday night, Amir-Abdollahian held separate talks with his Azeri and Russian counterparts, with the focus being peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

President Raeisi: Caucasus must not turn into battleground for foreign states

Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi has warned of attempts by extra-regional countries to gain foothold in the Caucasus.

Azerbaijan recaptured the long-disputed Karabakh region in a September lightning offensive against Armenian separatist forces, which prompted over 100,000 ethnic Armenians to flee the region.  

After just one day of fighting, Armenian separatist authorities, which had controlled Karabakh for three decades, surrendered and agreed to reintegrate with Baku.

Azerbaijan's victory marked the end of the protracted territorial dispute, which had long been seen as unresolvable.

The exodus of the entire Armenian population from the mountainous enclave has sparked a refugee crisis in Armenia.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have said they are close to signing a peace agreement based on the recognition of each other's territorial integrity.

The long-disputed region of Karabakh was at the center of two costly wars between Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2020 and the 1990s.

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