Iran Considers Any Change in Armenia's Borders Unacceptable - Mojtaba Zolnuri

The Islamic Republic of Iran does not accept any changes in the region; the territorial integrity of the countries in the region must be preserved. Mojtaba Zolnuri, the chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran, stated this while referring to the situation created at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and the incident of incursion by Azerbaijani armed forces into Armenian territory.

“The position of the Islamic Republic of Iran is very clear and decisive: we do not accept any change in the region, and the territorial integrity of the countries in the region must be preserved. We do not accept any extra-regional forces near our borders. If part of Armenia’s territory is desired to be taken, and our borders are subjected to changes, meaning we would have a new neighbor, that is unacceptable for us. The borders of the past must be fully protected, and Iran's overall border with Armenia must be preserved,” Mojtaba Zolnuri stated.

The chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of Iran's parliament noted that both countries have the authority to maintain their territorial integrity. According to him, Iran supports Azerbaijan's position in terms of preserving its territorial integrity, and also supports Armenia's position in preserving its territorial integrity, land, and border with Iran.

“We are neighbors with both countries and, based on the situation we have had in the past, without accepting any changes in the region, we support the territorial integrity of both countries,” Zolnuri added.

On May 12, some groups of the Azerbaijani armed forces crossed the state border of Armenia and carried out actions aimed at encircling the Black Lake in Syunik. The Armenian armed forces carried out tactical countermeasures. As a result of the tactical countermeasures of the Armenian armed forces, the Azerbaijanis positioned in certain adjacent areas withdrew from the positions they had occupied. At the same time, about 250 representatives of the Azerbaijani armed forces continue to be present inside the state borders of Armenia in certain areas of Syunik and Gegharkunik regions.