Iran has expressed its intent to further deepen cooperation with Armenia and reiterated its firm opposition to any geopolitical change, particularly concerning the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia, Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Mehdi Sobhani stated during the “Armenia-Iran: Cooperation and New Prospects” seminar in Armenia’s Kapan in the Syunik Provice, reports Armenpress.
“The Iranian government will seek to sign new documents with Armenia to promote cooperation in various sectors. At the same time, the previously signed documents between Armenia and Iran deserve due regard,” said Ambassador Sobhani, highlighting the more than 190 international agreements, memoranda, and protocols covering nearly every sector of their relations as a strong foundation for furthering bilateral cooperation.
Iran Opposes Any Geopolitical Changes and Extraterritorial Corridors, Stresses Armenia’s Sovereignty
On the topic of regional infrastructure and territorial sovereignty, Sobhani made it clear that Iran firmly supports the unblocking of connections based on Armenia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Commenting to reporters on Azerbaijan’s narrative surrounding the so-called “Zangezur Corridor,” Sobhani stated, “We don’t want to use that word. We support the opening of connections in case it happens based on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia. Besides, we oppose anything that has a logic of a [extraterritorial] corridor. We oppose any geopolitical change.”
Trade Expansion, Infrastructure Needs, and the Call for a Bigger Border Bridge
Amid growing trade between Armenia and Iran, Sobhani highlighted the necessity for enhanced infrastructure development to support and accommodate the expanding trade turnover. “The existing bridge on the [river] Araks is not enough, we must build a new one in order to increase cargo clearance. We have a lot of work to do, and a very bright future awaits us,” he said, emphasizing that a bigger bridge on their border is essential to handle the higher trade volumes, adding that “the construction of the infrastructures will increase the quantity of cargo trucks by several hundred per day.” This development is crucial for reaching the ambitious trade target of $3 billion, as the current trade turnover stands at approximately $700 million.
Sobhani also underscored the importance of constructing the Agarak-Kajaran section of the North-South road. “When the 32km road section from Agarak to Kajaran is completed, the driving duration will be reduced from 1 hour 20 minutes to 20 minutes. The width of the road will become 18 meters from 6 meters. Naturally, we will be able to promote transport traffic in that section, after which there will be the issue of the Kajaran tunnel, and the 62km part from Kajaran to Sisian,” he explained. The completion of these infrastructure projects is expected to significantly enhance trade and logistics capabilities between the two nations, fostering economic growth and regional connectivity.
Iran Welcomes Armenia’s Crossroads Of Peace Initiative
Ambassador Sobhani reaffirmed Iran’s stance on supporting Armenia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as Yerevan’s diplomatic efforts in the region. “The Islamic Republic of Iran emphasizes its principled stance in supporting Armenia’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, welcomes its efforts aimed at establishing friendly relations with neighbors and is ready to help the Armenian government in this direction,” he noted. Sobhani also welcomed Armenia’s Crossroads of Peace initiative, adding, “We welcome the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace talks and we believe that tension and conflict between countries can have undesirable consequences for the peoples in the region.” He described the Armenian-Iranian border as a “border of friendship.”
“We are determined to utilize all opportunities of the two countries to promote trade and increase the political, economic and cultural ties in the Iran-Armenia relationship, which has a bright future, and no one can disrupt it,” said the Ambassador.
Event Context and Expert Seminar
The remarks were made at the opening of the “Armenia-Iran: Cooperation and New Prospects” expert seminar held in the town of Kapan in Syunik Province. The seminar aims to present Armenia’s official stance on developing relations with Iran, as well as discussing regional processes, infrastructure unblocking, and the Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization. The event, featuring Armenian and Iranian experts, was strategically held in Kapan to highlight the significance of Syunik Province in Armenia-Iran relations.
