Raisi hosts Azerbaijani, Armenian officials over recent developments

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
5 Oct 2023 00:46
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The Iranian President has made it clear to the Azerbaijani and Armenian officials his resolute opposition to the opening of the Zangezur Corridor.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (R) receives Armenian National Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan (L) in Tehran, Iran on October 04, 2023. (AFP)

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi underlined on Wednesday that geopolitical change in the Caucasus is "unacceptable" as it would harm the interests of countries in the region.

Raisi made the remarks while hosting Azerbaijani and Armenian officials for talks on the successive developments in the Caucasus, specifically in regard to Azerbaijan's military campaign in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

The Iranian President met with the Secretary of Armenia's Security Council Armen Grigoryan, where he emphasized the importance of respecting the territorial integrity of the countries in the region, adding that Tehran is ready to cooperate on improving peace and security in the region, the Iranian News Agency (IRNA) reported.

He also underlined the necessity of protecting the rights of ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, announcing Iran's readiness to mediate talks between the two countries to resolve heightened tensions.

Raisi talks to Azerbaijani representatives

Raisi made similar remarks to the special representative of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Aly Oghlu Khalafov.

Raisi told the Azerbaijani official that improving stability in the Caucasus depends on cooperation between regional countries that are capable of resolving their own issues, according to IRNA.

He stressed that the presence of any foreign interference in the region under any pretext would not benefit its constituting states.

The Azerbaijani representative said the two nations hold great capabilities that can go into strengthening bilateral and regional relations.

Both Armenian and Azerbaijani officials expressed their gratitude to Tehran over its stance on the recent developments, announcing that their respective countries are willing to expand relations with Iran.

Earlier in the day, Iranian Vice-President for Political Affairs Mohammad Jamshidi said that the Iranian President held meetings with Armenian and Azerbaijani officials adding that the President made his opposition to the opening of the Zangezur Corridor clear to the delegations.

"Armenia National Security Advisor and Azerbaijan Special Presidential Envoy presented reports to Dr. Raisi. In both meetings, the President stated a Zangezur Corridor would be a NATO foothold, a national security threat for countries, and is thus resolutely opposed by Iran," Jamshidi posted on X.