Realistically, if we really strive to achieve stable and lasting peace in the region, then we need to ensure a real balance of power between Armenia and Azerbaijan; this is extremely important. Iranian ambassador to Armenia Khalil Shirgholami on Wednesday stated this during a conference on Armenian-Iranian relations.

Shirgholami emphasized the importance of establishing a new balance of power in the region.

“The talk about peace is good and useful, but it is not possible to establish and maintain peace through rhetoric alone,” the Iranian diplomat noted.

He explained that Iran is striving for a new balance of power in the region, which is the only real guarantee of long-term peace. According to him, without this balance, the situation will remain fragile, regardless of the good intentions of the parties, since mere desire is not enough to ensure peace in the region.

“The status quo or the current situation in the region should become the basis for peace, and any geopolitical change is unacceptable; this is Iran’s fundamental position. The status quo in territorial and geopolitical terms must definitely be maintained,” Shirgholami said.

In his assessment, intra-regional mechanisms and formats of cooperation are much more viable and effective in ensuring stability, development, and lasting peace.

The Iranian ambassador to Armenia noted that the interests of extra-regional powers are understandable, but warned that if they try to turn the region into a theater stage of destructive competition or conflict, no one will benefit from it.

“In the long term, this will lead to grave consequences, undermining the stability and development of this region,” he added.

At the same time, Khalil Shirgholami expressed support for the concept of interconnecting infrastructure and the “Crossroads of Peace” project put forward by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The Iranian diplomat noted that this crossroads includes various directions: east-west, west-east, north-south, and south-north.

“If there are plans to unblock communication routes in the region, then all the existing potential should be used and brought to fruition. If the TRIPP project meets certain preconditions, it will contribute to the development and peace of the region. At the same time, we [i.e. Iran] believe that Armenia also has other opportunities to become a link connecting the Persian Gulf, the Indian Ocean, and other regions. This potential should also be put into practice,” concluded the Iranian ambassador to Armenia.