When talking about the South Caucasus, various matters must be taken into account, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh stated within the framework of the Yerevan Dialogue 2025 international forum Monday in the Armenian capital.

Everyone here knows that the map of this region shows how much integration in this sub-region—the South Caucasus—can help improve cooperation and strategic communication between the countries of the region. This region has been very important for Iran for millennia, for many reasons. Those who are familiar with the history of this region know that Iran has enjoyed the advantages of the main corridors—the eastern and western—for many years, millennia, which were later called the Silk Road corridor—from the eastern border of Iran to the western border of Iran. And, of course, two roads: one led to Baghdad in those days, and the other to Anatolia, as well as the South Caucasus of those days. And also another, which is now called the Spice Road, this is a very ancient corridor of all times and peoples, which leads from north to south, from India to Bandar Abbas and through Iran to Central Asia and Russia. So, from a very good map of connectivity in this region, everyone understands that Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the entire South Caucasus region are very important, Khatibzadeh emphasized.

According to the Iranian deputy FM, the main question is why it has not been possible to realize all the aforementioned opportunities in the region so far.

Here one needs to look a little at the strategic landscape of the region, and one needs to be very careful so that, on the other hand, geostrategic competition and regional competition do not prevent the full realization of the region's potential. History teaches that any extra-regional geopolitical competition in this region does not benefit it. Thus, all countries in the region and the neighboring region are faced with one important issue: extra-regional, geopolitical competition, or geopolitical competition of major powers? Whoever it is, whatever the intention, the entire region will be the victim, said Khatibzadeh.

The second is geopolitical competition within the region. This morning, the prime minister of Armenia spoke about the former routes and the time for their restoration. This shows to what extent intra-regional competitions also hinder fraternal cooperation in the region. This is a warning that Iran has always loudly stated that any geopolitical changes in this region through any initiative are unacceptable. Thus, any connection in this region must ensure that there are no geopolitical changes on the map of the region, emphasized the Iranian deputy FM.