Pourmohammadi: We Support Direct Negotiations Between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Tehran – IRNA — Seyed Hamid Pourmohammadi, vice president and head of Iran’s Planning and Budget Organization and head of the Iran–Armenia Joint Economic Commission, expressed support for direct talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia during Armenia’s independence day ceremony. He said Iran opposes the involvement of foreign powers in the Caucasus. Pourmohammadi stressed that Iran–Armenia relations are rooted in deep historical and cultural ties and have progressed in numerous areas, including energy, electricity, gas, transport, culture and tourism. He added that Iranian engineering firms are carrying out development projects in Armenia and that the Gulf of Persia–Black Sea corridor is among the two countries’ strategic objectives. He noted it was an honor to attend the ceremony marking the start of the Gajaran tunnel in Syunik province with Armenian colleagues. Pourmohammadi asserted that peace in the Caucasus is a strategic policy; while respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, Iran opposes the use of force and believes the region should not become a theatre for geopolitical competition. He warned that the presence of extra-regional forces jeopardizes peace and urged that disputes be resolved by regional actors. He reiterated support for direct Armenia–Azerbaijan talks and for the regional peace process, wishing Armenia peace and expanding cooperation with Iran.