By Nane Sahakian
KAPAN, Armenia (Azatutyun) — Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian stressed the importance of Armenia’s security on Friday, October 21, as he inaugurated the Iranian consulate general in a strategic Armenian region bordering the Islamic Republic.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran regards the security of Armenia and the region as its own security,” Amir-Abdollahian said at the inauguration ceremony held in Kapan, the capital of Syunik province. “Our policy is to respect territorial integrity and internationally recognized borders.”
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan also attended and spoke at the ceremony, again welcoming Tehran’s decision to open the diplomatic mission in “our country’s backbone.”
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always been and will always be a key partner for Armenia,” he said.
The decision announced in December 2021 underscored the Iranian government’s strong interest in Syunik and concerns over Azerbaijan’s efforts to secure a special corridor to its Nakhichevan exclave passing through the sole Armenian province bordering Iran.