Judging 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 very important. Khalil Shirgholami, Iran's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia, announced this on September 23 during the conference entitled "Transformation of Armenian-Iranian relations in a changing strategic environment". He emphasized the formation of a new balance of power in the region. "Talking about peace is good and useful, but it is not possible to establish and maintain peace with rhetoric alone," said the diplomat. He made it clear that Iran seeks 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, because 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 of peace, and any geopolitical change is unacceptable. this is the fundamental position of Iran. In terms of territory and geopolitics, the status quo must be preserved," stressed Shirgholami. In his assessment, intra-regional mechanisms and formats of interaction are much more viable and effective in terms of ensuring stability, development and strong peace. The ambassador noted that the interests of extra-regional powers are understandable, but warned that if they try to turn the region into a destructive competition or a theater of conflict, no one will benefit from it. "In the future, this will lead to serious consequences, undermining the stability and development of this region," the ambassador emphasized. At the same time, Khalil Shirgholami expressed his support for the idea of ​​infrastructure interconnection and the "Crossroads of Peace" project put forward by RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The diplomat noticed that this intersection includes different directions: east-west, west-east, north-south and south-north. "If there are plans to unblock communication channels in the region, then all the existing potential should be used and implemented. If the TRIPP project meets certain preconditions, it will contribute to the development and peace of the region. At the same time, we believe that Armenia also has other opportunities to become a connecting link between the Persian Gulf, the Indian Ocean and other regions. That potential should also be put to work," the Iranian ambassador concluded.