Iranian ambassador to Armenia: Iran and Russia are not allies in the Caucasus

In an interview with the New York Times, Iran’s ambassador in Armenia, Mehdi Sobhani, acknowledged the diverging interests of Russia and Iran in the region, noting: “We have some differences, and we have some mutual interests. It doesn’t mean that we are allied.”

“In the volatile Caucasus region, Russia and Iran are vying to secure trade routes and influence,” the newspaper writes, noting that it leaves Western countries facing an unusual dilemma.

Arguing that the latest wave of tension over the future of the region revolves around Syunik, the New York Times writes: “At the moment, that road is of key importance for delivering Iranian goods from the Persian Gulf to Russia and Europe. It is here that Russia and Azerbaijan want to open an east-west road to Turkey, which will be outside the control of Armenia. Armenians fear that Azerbaijan will take that road by force.”

“We cannot accept a change in international borders,” the ambassador said.

At the same time, Sobhani avoided clarifying what Tehran will do if Azerbaijan attacks. “That will not happen,” he said.