Why it matters:
The Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, signed an agreement in Washington, D.C., granting Azerbaijan access to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic via a border crossing in Armenia's Syunik province.
The big picture:
The agreement has drawn opposition from both Iran and Russia. Iran views the deal as a potential security threat, concerned it may sever a vital transit corridor linking the country to Armenia and Europe. Armenian officials, however, maintain that the agreement incorporates safeguards addressing Tehran’s concerns. Meanwhile, Moscow, already concerned about losing sway in the region, views the U.S.-brokered agreement as another step in Washington’s expanding footprint along Russia’s southern flank.
What they're saying:
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated that Yerevan prioritizes maintaining friendly relations based on good neighborliness and mutual benefits with Tehran and attaches great value to these relations.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that this route should not alter the region's geopolitics or impede Iran’s access to other communication routes.
Araghchi noted that respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries must be fully observed in every decision and action.
Araghchi also noted that observing considerations related to the stability and security of the region and neighboring countries is a prerequisite for any plan or agreement in this regard.
The Armenian Foreign Minister assured that Yerevan, in making decisions about transportation routes, pays fundamental attention to regional peace and stability and the mutual interests and concerns of Iran and Armenia.
Go deeper:
During a phone call, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan assured Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that Armenia's agreement with Azerbaijan would not jeopardize Iran's national interests.
He emphasized that Armenia would consider Iran's security concerns when making agreements with its neighbor.
Iran Urges Caution Over U.S.-Backed Caucasus Corridor Project
Hossein Amiri - ahmad shirzadian
