Israeli presence in region 'cause for serious concern': Iran FM

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says the Israeli regime’s presence in the region is a cause for serious concern, stressing the importance of resolving regional problems without foreign interference.

Speaking at a joint press conference with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan in Tehran on Monday, Amir-Abdollahian added that the South Caucasus region already suffers from a series of problems and “the presence of the Zionists is a matter of serious concern for us.”

“We announce it loudly that we will not allow certain actors to have an influence on Iran’s relations with its neighbors, including Armenia,” he added.

“Our region cannot tolerate any new crises. All regional countries will reach a consensus that regional problems should be solved by regional actors and without any foreign interference,” the top Iranian diplomat pointed out.

Iran interior minister cautions regional states against US, Israeli plots, urges vigilance

The Iranian interior minister says regional countries should remain vigilant in the face of the US and Israeli plots.

His remarks come amid heightened tensions between Iran and neighboring Azerbaijan over the Israeli regime’s presence on Azeri soil, which Iran regards as a threat against its national security.

The Iranian Army’s Ground Forces on Friday held military exercises codenamed Fatehan-e Khaybar (Conquerors of Khaybar) in the northwestern part of the country. 

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has criticized Iran’s exercises. Tehran has hit back by saying that holding drills is part of the national sovereignty, warning that Israel’s anti-Iran activities in neighboring countries will not be tolerated.

On Sunday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said the interference of foreign actors in the region is a source of discord and damage, warning that those who suffer from the illusion of trusting foreign forces to establish security in their country “will soon get slapped.”

Addressing his weekly press conference on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said Iran and Azerbaijan enjoy developing ties at different levels.

“We have told our friends in Baku that we recognize territorial integrity and national sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan and helped preserve them,” he added.

He said Iran has informed Azeri officials of the moves carried out by the Israeli regime against the Islamic Republic from Azerbaijan’s soil and they vowed to give the necessary warnings to Tel Aviv.

“Baku should not allow its borders and its country to be used by a third party. Iran well knows how to protect its security but it is right that Baku should fulfill the responsibilities under its sovereignty,” the Iranian spokesperson added.

Iran, Armenia agree to devise new roadmap to boost relations

Elsewhere in the presser, the Iranian foreign minister said he held “good and constructive” talks with the Armenian prime minister and both sides agreed to draw up a new roadmap to promote “growing” mutual relations at the “strategic level.”

“We also agreed today to expand relations in economic, trade, cultural and tourism sectors in addition to political issues. Trade and the use of Armenia’s transit route are among the important issues for the two countries,” Amir-Abdollahian added.

Very bright future awaits Iran-Armenia relationship: Mirzoyan

The Armenian foreign minister, for his part, hailed his talks with his Iranian counterpart in an atmosphere of friendship and mutual trust and said a very bright future awaits the two countries.

Mirzoyan added that both sides discussed in detail all developments in the region and agreed to deepen mutual strategic relations.

He said he has fully briefed his Iranian counterpart on the developments in the Nagorno-Karabakh region and deplored the presence of mercenaries from other countries there.

Iran says ready to help establish peace in Karabakh, urges Azerbaijan, Armenia to exercise restraint

Iran says it is ready to help establish sustainable peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia in Karabakh.

The Armenian foreign minister took a swipe at the Republic of Azerbaijan for refusing to release the prisoners of war following the most recent military clashes with Armenia, saying they should be released as soon as possible.

He also thanked Iran’s support for Armenia’s territorial integrity and said the two countries are determined to improve relations and would spare no efforts in this regard.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Sunday that his country never has and will never be involved in any conspiracy against Iran.

PM Pashinyan: Armenia will never be involved in any anti-Iran conspiracy

Armenia’s prime minister says his country never has and will never be involved in any conspiracy against Iran.

“I am confident that our Iranian partners know that the Republic of Armenia has never been and will never be involved in any conspiracy against Iran, because we extremely value those relations,” Pashinyan said, Armen Press reported.

Tehran will not allow terrorists, Israel to harm ties with neighbors: Amir-Abdollahian

Meanwhile, the Iranian foreign minister told his Armenian counterpart in a meeting that Tehran would not allow terrorists and the Israeli regime to damage its good relations with the neighboring countries.

Pointing to the presence of terrorists in the region, Amir-Abdollahian said, “Unfortunately, following tensions in the South Caucasus region, we are witnessing the presence of foreign terrorists and the destructive activities of the Zionist regime (Israel) in the region."

He further said Iran is determined to expand ties with Armenia in various political, economic and cultural fields and expressed hope that the two sides would implement joint economic projects to help increase bilateral trade.

The Armenian foreign minister, for his part, expressed regret that interference of third parties in the Caucasus crisis has led to the presence of terrorists from Iraq and Syria in the region.

Mirzoyan and Amir-Abdollahian met on the sidelines of the latest session of the UN General Assembly in New York last month, when the former called for expansion of cooperation with the Islamic Republic in the oil and energy sectors.

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