make preferableNEWS.am spoke with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Saeed Khatibzadeh, during his visit to Yerevan. In what he described as his final public appearance before departing the Armenian capital, Mr. Khatibzadeh reflected on a series of high-level meetings and discussions focused on bilateral cooperation, regional connectivity, and strategic dialogue within the South Caucasus. He praised the productive atmosphere of the Yerevan Dialogue and emphasized Iran’s commitment to deepening relations with Armenia.
Mr. Khatibzadeh, thank you for your time. It's a real honor to have this opportunity.
Thank you very much for inviting me.
Your visit to Yerevan concludes very soon. I'd like us to start with an overview of the key discussions and meetings you had here.
Yes. Thank you very much. Thank you for giving me this very opportunity. Actually, I'm trying to catch my flight soon, so I think this is my last public appearance here in Yerevan. So, I have to seize this opportunity to thank my hosts and also to thank Armenia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia for inviting me and for providing this opportunity for me and for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be on the stage and present its views. Yes, we had very good meetings here in Yerevan. Although it was my first visit to Yerevan, I really enjoyed being here, talking and exchanging views. I had the privilege of meeting with your Foreign Minister. We discussed different issues of mutual interest on bilateral, regional, and international levels, issues related to the well-being of the two nations and also our bilateral relations. We reviewed different aspects of ongoing projects between the two countries. I also had the opportunity to meet with Armenia's Deputy Foreign Minister and some other dignitaries and officials attending the Yerevan Dialogue. Probably you are already aware of my panel. There, I discussed the South Caucasus and connectivity, and the importance and strategic aspect of these connectivity issues here in the South Caucasus. So I think we had very dynamic and lively debates here in Yerevan.
You certainly did. And my next question is actually about your remarks at the forum. You mentioned that you spoke with Mr. Grigoryan and wanted reassurance from Armenia that there would be no corridor that cuts regional connectivity. Why do you need this reassurance? Are there concerns that Armenia’s stance might change?
No, it's not out of concern. It comes from the notion that we need to clarify and repeat what we actually share—that we need connectivity, we need diversification of communications, and we need different transportation routes, but we shouldn't follow projects that exclude others or change the geopolitical, geostrategic landscape of the region. Last week, we had the Tehran Dialogue Forum, and Mr. Grigorian was participating there. I was on the stage, speaking with him, and we discussed this issue of the Peace Crossroad of Armenia. But I also wanted to make sure that we are on the same page when we use different words and jargon, and that we understand each other well. So, both there and here, I wanted to ensure that when we talk about diversification of connectivity, different transportation routes, and transitions, and when we refer to crossroads, we mean connecting, not cutting each other off. And it means that any notion of exclusion, or any notion that changes the geopolitical landscape of the region, is not something that serves the well-being of all countries in this region.
Azerbaijan is the country talking about cutting the connectivity, right?
I'm not calling this a one-sided intention by anybody. I think we need to clarify for each other what is possible and what is not possible. We definitely need a mutual understanding in this region—a mutually accepted solution. Everything should respect international law and the sovereignty of countries in this region, including Armenia. While it is up to these two countries to work together and find a stable, durable solution for connectivity, we also need to give assurance to all nations in this region that what we are planning is connectivity, not cutting each other off from the general landscape that has existed in this region for many decades.
Is Iran ready to provide a platform to Armenia and Azerbaijan for negotiations?
We fully support this peace initiative and peace agreement. On the record, we have said that we are 100% behind all efforts by both countries. We believe the sooner an agreement is reached, the better for everyone—including Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Iran. Iran is a neighbor to both countries, and we have had very good relations with our neighbors, which we would like to continue. But at the same time, everyone knows—and it's no secret—that due to rivalries, many joint projects have remained untouched. We have not been able to materialize the capacity, capabilities and potentials in this region. So, we need an agreement that secures the future of cooperation. The victims of these rivalries and clashes have always been those who tried to implement projects of peace and cooperation in this region.
Iran very often mentions that there shouldn't be any corridor, as you just said. Why does Iran think it's important to warn against any geopolitical changes in the region? Does Iran see such threats?
Look, I I think that I was clear that this sort of jargon should be defined very carefully. We all have to be on the same page. If "corridor" means denying the sovereignty of Armenia, then I do believe that even Azerbaijan is not seeking that. Iran is definitely against any initiative that violates the territorial integrity or sovereignty of any country, including Armenia. We have been clear in our position: we strongly support the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and all countries in the region, because international law is what we need in the region. So, if corridor means something that cuts our region into two or three different parts, or if it means something that goes against the sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia, or something that changes the geopolitical and geostrategic landscape of this region — the geopolitical map of this region — then this is something that cannot happen. It just cannot happen, because Iran believes that while we need connectivity, transportation routes, and diversification of direct access for all countries — and we do support that — if Armenia and Azerbaijan decide to establish peace crossroads or connectivity plans, we will definitely be more than happy. Of course, we also have our own plans. We have our traditional routes to offer, which we believe are better from an economic perspective, in terms of regional connectivity. Nevertheless, we welcome anything that comes out of mutual agreement between countries of this region.
The most important part is that we should have consistent principles: international law, territorial integrity, sovereignty, and respect for the geopolitical and geostrategic landscape of this very sensitive region.
Iran has clearly said it will do its best to prevent any escalation in the region. Will there be any concrete steps, and what will those steps be in case of an Azerbaijani invasion into Armenia?
We are doing our best to prevent any sort of escalation in this region. Enough is enough. We believe peace is what everyone is seeking. Iran is using all its capacity and good offices to reach out to both Azerbaijan and Armenia, to ensure a future of development, prosperity, cooperation, and normalization of relations—especially between these two important countries.
Coming to the nuclear deal between the United States and Iran. The negotiations are still ongoing. How important is this deal for our region?
Look, what is happening now is a negotiation between Iran and the United States on the nuclear issue and the removal of sanctions. Reaching an agreement would be a turning point for everyone, including our neighbors. But even without an agreement, Iran has shown it is a responsible actor, friend, and neighbor in this region. And we think that, with or without a deal, the guiding principle is this friendship and neighborhood which we all share. Iran is very much committed to reaching an agreement that ensures both the removal of sanctions and addresses the concerns of the other side—to guarantee that Iran's nuclear activities will remain peaceful. We are confident in our intentions and our program. At the same time, we need the other side to come with real commitment to lifting sanctions, which is the gist of what we are going to agree on, if we can come up with a good, mutually accepted solution.
Do you see a real chance for that?
If the United States departs from its old policy of not respecting the rights of other nations, including Iran; if it accepts Iran's right to peaceful nuclear activity under the Non-Proliferation Treaty; and if it provides an objective guarantee for the lifting of sanctions, then I think an agreement is very close.
Iran has continuously warned against the presence of third forces in the region. Are there any concerns now?
Our region has long suffered from extra-regional competition and rivalries—for centuries, really, and definitely for decades. These rivalries are not good for our region or for the countries within it. History shows that when regional countries decide to work together, they can create indigenous security that is neither borrowed nor purchased from outside. This is what we need. Our region can play a critical role in shaping its own future. We have agency in the international order, and our region can be the architect of its own destiny. That is why we must work together.
How do you see Armenia's role in that future?
Armenia is a very important country. A very good neighbor for us, and an important country both in the South Caucasus and in future connectivity. Our Persian Gulf to Black Sea initiative includes Armenia, which plays a central role in that. For us, Armenia is a gateway—a gate to the Eurasian Economic Union and to the South Caucasus. We attach great importance to Armenia, and we want to level up our bilateral relations. There are no limitations to our cooperation, and we must show everyone that both Armenia and Iran are capable of building a relationship that is deeply interconnected and mutually supportive.
Thank you very much.
Thank you for this opportunity. Thank you.
Gayane Aleksanyan
