Iran’s Pezeshkian in Armenia for Bilateral Agreements
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is in Armenia to sign key agreements reflecting shared interests and to address what Tehran sees as serious concerns over the United States’ presence in the region.
Pezeshkian was formally welcomed in Yerevan on Tuesday by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at the presidential palace.
The welcoming ceremony began with the national anthems of both countries, followed by the introduction of delegations. After the protocol, Pezeshkian and Pashinyan began bilateral talks.
Pezeshkian arrived in Armenia on Monday at the head of a high-level delegation, marking the first stop of an official trip that will also take him to Belarus. His visit includes meetings with Armenia’s leadership, Iranian expatriates, and economic representatives, along with the signing of documents to expand cooperation.
Before his departure, Pezeshkian said strengthening ties with neighbors and allies is among Iran’s top priorities.
“During this visit, important memoranda of understanding and agreements will be signed, opening new horizons for preparing the appropriate economic and social ground in the country, which will be beneficial to the progress and advancement of our dear nation,” he said.
The president stressed that Iran seeks to maintain the highest level of political, economic, cultural and social relations with neighboring countries, particularly Armenia. He said discussions will also cover the North-South transport corridor, which he described as an important opportunity for enhancing bilateral cooperation.
Pezeshkian voiced concern about the activities of American companies in the region.
“Past experience showed that some of these companies have carried out unexpected and undesirable actions under the guise of commercial activities,” he said. “For this reason, we will have serious discussions regarding the concerns and challenges related to this issue.”
The visit comes shortly after Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a U.S.-brokered agreement in Washington on August 8, granting the United States exclusive rights to develop a transport corridor through Armenia’s Syunik province to link Azerbaijan republic with its exclave Nakhchivan. Iran has strongly opposed the project, warning it could alter the geopolitical balance in the South Caucasus and restrict its access to regional transport routes.
Looking ahead to Belarus, Pezeshkian said Iran and Belarus have expanded ties in social, economic, cultural, and scientific areas in recent years, and will accelerate cooperation in technology transfer, agriculture, and industry.
“It is noteworthy that Belarus has consistently taken principled and firm positions in international forums in support of the Islamic Republic of Iran, including by condemning the Israeli attacks on our country and the acts of aggression in Gaza,” he said.
Pezeshkian added that Iran has wide capacities to cooperate with countries aligned with the Islamic Republic on strategic issues.
