Iran welcomes Azerbaijan-Armenia peace deal, cautions against foreign interference near common borders

TEHRAN (Iran News) The Iranian Foreign Ministry has welcomed a peace deal between Azerbaijan and Armenia, saying that peace and stability in the Caucasus benefits all countries in this region. The ministry, at the same time, has expressed concern over the adverse effects of foreign intervention at joint borders.

The Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Saturday, a day after Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed the deal, brokered by US President Donald Trump, at the White House. The deal is aimed at ending a decades-long territorial dispute including on the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is closely monitoring current developments in the South Caucasus region and remains in contact with both neighboring countries, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia, regarding these developments,” the statement read.

“Undoubtedly, peace and stability in the Caucasus region benefit all countries in this region. The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes the finalization of the peace agreement between the two countries and considers it an important step toward achieving lasting peace in the region,” it further said in reference to the deal signed on Friday. “Azerbaijan-Armenia”

The Islamic Republic of Iran also “expresses concern over the negative consequences of any foreign interference in any form, particularly near common borders, which could undermine regional security and sustainable stability.”

While emphasizing the adoption of all necessary political, legal, and economic measures to safeguard its national rights and interests, the Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the establishment of transit routes and unblocking connection networks will serve the stability, security, and economic development of regional countries only if they are based on mutual interests, respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and free from foreign interference, according to the statement.

The ministry also announced Iran’s readiness to continue constructive and mutually beneficial cooperation with both Azerbaijan and Armenia to preserve regional peace, stability, and economic development through bilateral and regional mechanisms, such as the 3+3 format.