Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran
Tehran, Aug 12: Iran has cautiously welcomed the recently signed peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan, while raising concerns over a proposed US-backed transit corridor through southern Armenia that could alter regional dynamics.
In a phone conversation on Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan discussed the implications of the agreement and broader developments in the South Caucasus, according to a statement from Iran’s Foreign Ministry released Tuesday.
Araghchi expressed support for the historic peace deal signed in Washington on Friday, which aims to end decades of hostility between Armenia and Azerbaijan, particularly over the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region.
However, he also conveyed Iran’s reservations about a component of the deal that grants the United States exclusive rights to build a major transit corridor through southern Armenia. The corridor is intended to connect Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave and, eventually, Turkey.
The Iranian minister stressed that any new transit routes must not disrupt regional balance, Iran’s transit access, or lead to geopolitical changes. He insisted that national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and regional security must remain paramount.
“Such a corridor must not lead to geopolitical changes in the region or disrupt Iran's access to other transit routes," Araghchi said, underlining the necessity of a stable and secure South Caucasus for all neighbouring nations.
Armenian Foreign Minister Mirzoyan reassured Iran that Yerevan values its friendship with Tehran, describing their ties as based on "good neighbourliness" and shared interests.
He briefed Araghchi on the details of the peace deal, including the plans to reopen transport networks in the region and Armenia’s future steps in implementing the agreement. Mirzoyan emphasized that regional peace and mutual interests will be prioritised in any decisions concerning transport or transit infrastructure.
The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict dates back to 1988, primarily over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. Though a ceasefire was established in 1994, tensions and sporadic clashes have persisted for decades.
On August 9, leaders of both countries initialled the peace agreement at the White House, with final ratification steps still pending. The accord includes significant infrastructure and connectivity provisions, which regional powers like Iran are watching closely.
Iran’s measured stance signals its support for regional stability — but also its intent to safeguard its strategic interests and influence in the South Caucasus amid growing Western involvement.