Every country must recognize the historical realities related to territories and national identity, Iran is against any claims to Armenia, and the latter’s territorial integrity is of vital and decisive importance to Iran. Iranian ambassador to Armenia Khalil Shirgholami stated this at an event held at Yerevan State University on Tuesday.

He added that peace and stability in the South Caucasus are among Iran’s most important interests. According to him, Iran’s strategy and priorities are to ensure peace, stability, and development in the region.

“We [i.e. Iran] support integration processes in the region. We believe that although extra-regional countries can make their contribution and pursue legitimate interests in the region, the driving forces for integration, development, and peace should be the countries of the region themselves,” Shirgholami added.

He noted that Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, and Turkey can make a positive contribution to the peace process, as well as to the economic well-being and prosperity of the countries of this region.

The Iranian ambassador to Armenia added that other countries can also play a positive role if they do not pursue security, military, or geopolitical objectives that do not correspond to the interests of the countries of the region.

Also, Shirgholami expressed Iran's readiness to play an important role in this regard, and recalled that Tehran has an effective dialogue with the Armenian government on all these matters.