Presence of extra-regional powers alarming for Caucasus: Iran's top general

The top Iranian military official says the presence of extra-regional powers such as the United States is a matter of concern for the Caucasus region.

Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi made the remarks in a meeting with Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan in Tehran on Saturday.

He said Iran welcomes a US-brokered peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. However, he pointed out that the history of the US's negative role in the region necessitates mechanisms to alleviate concerns.

On August 8, Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a US-brokered peace agreement in Washington, under which a transport corridor linking Azerbaijan to its landlocked exclave Nakhchivan is to be established.

Under the deal, Armenia granted exclusive rights to the United States to develop a corridor in its southern province of Syunik, which borders Iran, to connect Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan.

Iran has long opposed the idea, saying it would change the geopolitical order of the Southern Caucasus and would restrict Iran’s ability to use transport networks in the region.

The top Iranian general further pointed to historical and cultural commonalities between Tehran and Yerevan and stressed the importance of strengthening security cooperation.

Grigoryan, for his part, said the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal is in line with Armenia’s “Crossroads of Peace” initiative.

He stressed the importance of preserving Armenia’s sovereignty over the Syunik corridor and making efforts to prevent any negative impact on Yerevan’s relations with Tehran.

Both sides called for the expansion of military cooperation between the two countries.

Pezeshkian: No foreign power must be allowed to disrupt Iran-Armenia ties

The Iranian president says Iran and Armenia should not allow any foreign power to disrupt their strategic ties.

Continued Iran-Armenia consultations deepen understanding on regional issues: FM Araghchi

In a meeting with the top Armenian official, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the continuation of bilateral visits and consultations will help develop a common understanding about regional developments.

He commended the special attention of Armenian officials to the existing and common concerns regarding the maintenance of stability and sustainable security in the South Caucasus region.

The top Iranian diplomat noted that Tehran-Yerevan ties are based on good neighborliness, mutual respect, and the interests of the two nations.

Iran sets no limitation to the expansion of ties with Armenia in various areas, he emphasized.

Grigoryan said Armenia is firmly determined to improve all-out relations with Iran, particularly in the economic and trade sectors.

He added that Armenia pays special heed to the continuation of consultations with Iran about ways to alleviate concerns.

Earlier in the day, Grigoryan met with Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani and President Masoud Pezeshkian.

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