Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran has maintained continuous contacts with both Armenia and Azerbaijan regarding the recently signed agreements between the two countries.
He noted that a phone conversation with Armenia’s foreign minister is expected soon, followed by a call with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and that Armenia’s deputy foreign minister is scheduled to visit Tehran on Tuesday. Araghchi stressed that Iran’s position on the Zangezur issue and other raised matters is clear, and the country welcomes any peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, ready to support it, IRNA reported.
He said “the corridor issue is closed; this is about an Armenian transit route,” Factor.am reported.
“We are in constant consultations with the parties. Our position on Zangezur and the raised issues is fully clear: we welcome any peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and have previously declared our readiness to cooperate and assist in the peace process. Our stance on the region is also clear: we want all countries to maintain full sovereignty over their territories and support the territorial integrity of all regional states. We also uphold international borders and reject any changes to them,” he stated.
Araghchi added that the joint statement between Armenia and Azerbaijan includes three principles: respect for the sovereignty of regional countries, respect for territorial integrity, and opposition to any border changes — fully aligned with Iran’s position.
“The corridor issue has been completely set aside; this is about a transit road that will be built under Armenia’s sovereignty and jurisdiction, within its territory. This project will be implemented by a company, reportedly an Armenian-American firm registered in Armenia and operating under its laws. Of course, as noted in the foreign ministry’s statement, any foreign presence in the region, in any form, can have negative consequences for peace and stability.
We have always raised this matter with both the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides and will continue to reaffirm it. We are closely monitoring developments. So far, our principled positions have been respected, but the potential presence of an American company raises concerns, and we will continue consultations on this matter. Iran has warned against any foreign presence in the region, stressing that such actions could threaten peace and stability. The possible involvement of an American company in this project is a cause for concern for Iran, and this issue has been discussed with both sides. We are following developments closely,” Araghchi said.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian also responded to journalists’ questions about the recent agreement signed at the White House between the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan regarding the so-called “Zangezur corridor.” He noted that his foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, had recently briefed him on the matter.
“Of course, this corridor is not what has been exaggerated in the media,” the president said, adding that “Iran’s demands have been met,” Tasnim reported.
On August 8, during a trilateral meeting at the White House between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, a joint declaration was signed summarizing the results of the meeting.
In Washington, Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, in the presence of the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the United States, preliminarily signed the “Agreement on Peace and the Establishment of Interstate Relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan.”
“The framework for preserving territorial integrity, ensuring connection with Europe, and maintaining the northern route that Iran expected in this matter has been secured. The only worrying aspect is that Armenian and American companies intend to build this road,” he added.
