Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi expressed Iran's readiness to contribute to peace and stability in the Caucasus region and facilitate the resolution of disputes between Azerbaijan and Armenia. In separate meetings with Secretary of Armenia's Security Council Armen Grigoryan and Azerbaijani President's Representative Khalaf Khalafov, Raisi emphasized Iran's opposition to foreign interference and advocated for a peaceful resolution through dialogue.
During the meeting with Grigoryan, Raisi underscored the importance of resolving differences between Armenia and Azerbaijan through diplomatic means, rejecting external interventions. He emphasized Iran's commitment to safeguarding the rights and security of ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh and conveyed Tehran's readiness to collaborate in ensuring peace, stability, and security in the region.
In discussions with Khalafov, Raisi highlighted the significance of preserving regional borders and the geopolitical status quo. He expressed Iran's willingness to support regional discussions within the 3+3 format or any suitable framework to address tensions and resolve issues between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Raisi emphasized that regional countries possess the capability to address their issues and stressed the undesirability of foreign intervention.
Khalafov affirmed Azerbaijan's belief in resolving regional issues through cooperation and dialogue among regional states without external involvement. He welcomed dialogue, particularly within the 3+3 format, to enhance regional cooperation and address ongoing problems. The 3+3 format involves Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, along with Iran, Russia, and Turkey.
The longstanding conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh has seen periodic escalations since 1988. Although peace talks have occurred since 1994, sporadic minor clashes have persisted. The most recent major armed conflict erupted in September 2020, leading to a Russian-brokered cease-fire agreement in November 2020. The Iranian president's recent efforts aim to contribute to regional stability and facilitate ongoing diplomatic initiatives between the two nations.
