INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, was seized by Armenian forces in the early 1990s, triggering a war that left thousands
culminating in a brutal conflict in 2020
The 2020 war resulted in heavy casualties on both sides and a ceasefire agreement that saw Azerbaijan regain control over much of the region
However, the underlying issue of Nagorno-Karabakh remained unresolved, continuing to threaten stability in the South Caucasus.In March 2025,
Armenia and Azerbaijan made a significant step toward ending nearly four decades of conflict when they agreed on the text of a peace treaty
The agreement saw Armenia relinquish its claim over Nagorno-Karabakh, acknowledging the region as part of Azerbaijan
This momentous step brought hope for a lasting peace in a region long fraught with hostilities.Iran, a key regional player with close
historical and cultural ties to both Armenia and Azerbaijan, has long advocated for a peaceful resolution to the conflict
Masoud Pezeshkian, Iranian president, to Baku on April 28
During his visit, Pezeshkian met with high-ranking Azerbaijani officials to discuss the strengthening of bilateral relations and the
implementation of various agreements, particularly in trade and security
In July 2024, an UK-based opposition media outlet published a report alleging that Tehran had sold $500 million worth of arms, including
suicide drones, to Armenia
The report, which cited alleged anonymous sources, claimed that Iran and Armenia had engaged in military cooperation, including
intelligence-sharing and the establishment of bases on Armenian soil.The report caused a stir in Azerbaijan, where the allegation was seen
However, both Iranian and Armenian officials quickly denied the arms deal allegations
funding from entities linked to Saudi Arabia and Israel
Tehran has consistently maintained that it adheres to a neutral stance in the South Caucasus and seeks to avoid taking sides in the conflict
In 2020, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei made it clear that the territories occupied by Armenia must be
returned to Azerbaijan, emphasizing that Azerbaijan had every right to its internationally recognized lands
This position was reaffirmed in several public statements, including a televised address in which Ayatollah Khamenei warned that the
dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan
Iran has continually advocated for direct negotiations between the two countries, urging them to resolve their differences peacefully
prosperity.In his recent remarks, Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-e-Ravanchi emphasized that Iran remains committed to supporting the
Azerbaijan in finalizing and implementing the deal
Takht-e-Ravanchi also reiterated that Iran believes in the importance of respecting territorial integrity and international law, stressing
Azerbaijan, Iran has always sought to be a stabilizing force in the South Caucasus
cooperation between the two countries.
This article first appeared/also appeared in Tehran Times
