Iran and Russia emphasize need to fight against extra-regional interference in South Caucasus

Acting Foreign Minister of Iran Ali Bagheri Kani and Special Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Igor Khovaev discussed the situation in the South Caucasus during the talks held in Tehran and expressed their opposition to the intervention of foreign players in regional affairs, calling it destructive, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran said in a statement.

“In order to maintain peace and stability in the Caucasus, greater coordination and cooperation between Iran, Russia and other regional governments is needed,” reads the statement.

Ali Bagheri Kani stated that “the increasing external interference in the affairs of the Caucasus region requires strategic coordination and constant consultation between Iranian and Russian officials”.

According to him, “it is important to make the most of the regional mechanisms, such as the “3+3” format, to respond to the challenges facing the region”. Khovaev emphasized the similarity of Moscow’s and Tehran’s stances on the problems facing the South Caucasus and, “in this regard, underlined the need for close and constant interaction and coordination between the authorities of the two countries to “fight against the interference of extra-regional players”.