Iran and Armenia are facing a very delicate issue – the connection of Nakhchivan with the mainland of Azerbaijan. In recent years, this issue has become the subject of many strategic and delicate discussions, which has caused serious concern both for us and other countries in the region, since geopolitical changes are possible in the region. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi wrote about this in his Telegram channel.
“By geopolitical changes, we mean a change in internationally recognized borders, a shift in borders that affects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of any country in the region, for example, the use of part of the territory of Armenia, which may lead to occupation, change of power or the threat of weakening. We have long been clear that we will not tolerate this, and our policy has been clear from the very beginning. We have also taken appropriate steps to demonstrate the seriousness of our intentions, which everyone knows. Our policy remains the same: we do not accept geopolitical changes in the region.
At the moment, a statement has been signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which clearly states that the parties recognize the inviolability of the borders of the region, respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries in the region and do not intend to make any changes. In this regard, at this stage, our geopolitical concerns seem to have been removed.
As for the extent to which they will adhere to these principles in the future and what developments may occur, then, obviously, we will closely monitor the situation and control it,” Araghchi said.
The Iranian Foreign Minister also touched upon the issue of why the road to be built through Armenia could cause economic damage and create problems in political terms.
“From an economic point of view, this may somewhat weaken the transport route passing through Iran. Of course, it is up to us to make this road more attractive so that more traffic and transportation can be carried out on it.
At the same time, there are moments here when we cannot prohibit any country, since it is on its territory and has the right to build the road. Until then, the road is under the full control of Armenia and is subject to its laws and judicial powers, so there can be no questions from the point of view of international law.
Another problem is that this road can be used as a pretext for ensuring the presence of American troops in the region…
On Saturday, the Secretary of the National Security Council of Armenia (Armenia – Ed.) spoke with Larijani and assured us that they will respect the red lines of the Islamic Republic of Iran, are familiar with these lines and will follow them in the future. They assured that American troops will never be deployed in Armenia because of this road. We were also clearly informed that American private security companies, which, as you know, were present in some countries in our region, will not be present in Armenia under the name of this road,” Araghchi concluded.