Iran’s defense minister highlights Armenia’s significant regional role

Iranian Defense Minister, Brigadier-General Aziz Nasirzadeh said he had “intensive and productive” meetings with Armenian top officials during his two-day visit, IRIB reported.

At the end of the visit the Iranian Defense Minister said that during his meetings with PM Nikol Pashinyan, Defense Minister Suren Papikyan and Secretary of Security Council Armen Grigoryan he discussed “various aspects of cooperation, including defense and economic sectors”, according to IRIB. A memorandum of understanding was signed with the Armenian defense minister, he added.

“The conditions for developing cooperation have matured and we invited the Armenian defense minister to visit our country’s defense facilities,” Brigadier-General Aziz Nasirzadeh said.

He underscored Iran’s principled policy regarding the region, stressing that the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries must be respected.

Speaking about the importance of the South Caucasus, the Iranian defense minister said , “This region is of great importance for us, both geopolitically and geostrategically. As a country with special historic and transit position, Armenia also plays an important role in this region. We have previously announced that we oppose any change in geopolitical and historic borders and we have raised this issue in the talks with the Armenian side.”