Armenia and Iran are preparing to formalize a comprehensive strategic partnership that could be signed during Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s planned visit to Tehran later this year, Iran’s ambassador to Armenia, Khalil Shirgholami, said, with the draft agreement now under expert review in both countries and expected to outline practical, implementable steps across political coordination, infrastructure projects, and public-sector engagement.
The prospective agreement is intended to raise bilateral ties to a strategic level, reflecting years of collaboration in politics, infrastructure, and economic development. “Last year, the president of Iran visited Armenia, and this year we expect the Armenian prime minister to pay a reciprocal visit,” Shirgholami said, referring to Masoud Pezeshkian’s trip to Yerevan. While the precise timing of Pashinyan’s visit is still being finalized, both sides are focused on ensuring the partnership results in concrete, actionable measures.
The draft agreement, currently under review by experts in both countries, is expected to cover political coordination, infrastructure projects, and public-sector engagement. “We want this document to be practical, with clear steps that can be implemented,” Shirgholami emphasized.
“Iran seeks to see a strong, developed, and prosperous Armenia,” Shirgholami said, adding that the friendship between the two peoples is on a clear path toward growth, interconnectedness, and partnership.
Looking to the broader region, the ambassador welcomed the ongoing South Caucasus peace process, emphasizing that peace and friendship among regional peoples are essential for comprehensive development and deeper cooperation. He underlined the importance of improving regional transport and transit connectivity and noted the significant economic potential of the South Caucasus.
According to the Iranian ambassador, 2025 was a fruitful year for bilateral relations. He highlighted the visit of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Yerevan in August 2025 as a milestone in the historical, brotherly, and strategic relations between the two nations. Trade turnover between Armenia and Iran from January to November 2025, excluding defense-related goods, reached $698 million, Shirgholami noted, while stressing that the goal of increasing bilateral trade to $3 billion remains a priority.
Economic and infrastructural cooperation is expected to be a central component of the strategic partnership. Iranian companies are involved in key projects in Armenia, including a section of the North-South highway in Syunik province and a new cargo terminal along the shared border. Shirgholami also highlighted Iran’s interest in joint mining ventures, particularly copper, as well as activities in metal processing and steel production.
Relations between Yerevan and Tehran experienced a period of heightened tension earlier this year, when widespread anti-government protests in Iran were mirrored by demonstrations outside the Iranian embassy in Yerevan. Dozens of Iranians living in Armenia rallied near the embassy in solidarity with protesters back home, some chanting slogans critical of the Iranian government. On January 14, Ambassador Shirgholami publicly criticized Armenian authorities in unusually firm terms, warning that the Iranian leadership viewed Armenia as “a serious center for the actions of forces hostile to Iran.” Prime Minister Pashinyan quickly reassured Tehran that its concerns would be addressed.
To prevent escalation, Yerevan’s municipal administration barred the Iranian expatriates from marching from the embassy to the city center on January 17. Several participants later reported being summoned by Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) and instructed not to join further demonstrations. Shirgholami later confirmed that most concerns had been resolved, noting, “Even the closest of friends can be offended by each other; disagreements can arise between them, but they have been resolved.”
