Pezeshkian Reaffirms Opposition to Extra-Regional Forces in Caucasus During Talks with Erdogan
Tehran, The Gulf Observer: President Masoud Pezeshkian has reiterated Iran’s support for the recently signed peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, while firmly opposing the involvement of extra-regional forces in the Caucasus.
Pezeshkian made the remarks during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday, held on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China. The two leaders reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on a wide range of regional and international issues, including developments in Syria, Gaza, Iraq, Iran’s nuclear program, and the situation in the Caucasus.
Commenting on the US-brokered agreement signed last month by Armenia and Azerbaijan to settle their long-standing territorial dispute, President Pezeshkian stated, “We support the agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan as a means of consolidating peace and stability. At the same time, we oppose any presence of external forces in the Caucasus region.”
On Iran’s nuclear file, Pezeshkian said Tehran is prepared to engage in negotiations with the United States, provided that Iran’s nuclear rights are recognized and a “win-win solution” is achieved. Addressing the recent move by Britain, Germany, and France to trigger the “snapback mechanism” under the 2015 nuclear deal, he stressed that the three countries lack legitimacy to do so, as they have failed to fulfill their own commitments.
President Erdogan, for his part, described the activation of the mechanism as “totally unconstructive” and affirmed Iran’s right to pursue peaceful nuclear activities. He further underlined that maintaining the possibility of dialogue between Tehran and Washington would help counter Israel’s plans in the region.
