Tehran reiterates unacceptability of changing borders in South Caucasus

YEREVAN, July 28. /ARKA/. The expansion of transport routes in the South Caucasus should not lead to changes in the recognized borders of countries in the region, said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei.

"Iran's official position on the region's geopolitical borders remains unchanged," Baghaei said at a weekly press briefing on Monday, according to the Iranian news agency IRNA.

Regarding transit routes, Baghaei said Iran attaches importance to economic growth and the expansion of economic cooperation between countries.

"The expansion of transport routes should in no way contradict the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, and should not lead to a change in the geopolitical situation in the region or recognized borders," Baghaei stressed.

He also touched upon the issue of external interference in regional developments, noting that Iran had made it clear that such interference does not contribute to either security or development in the region.

He expressed satisfaction that rumors about the involvement of some extra-regional parties in the processes related to Azerbaijan had been refuted by various participants.

“Tehran is closely following this issue as it affects the country’s national interests,” Baghaei said.

Recently, the U.S. proposal to lease the future road between Armenia and Azerbaijan (through the Syunik region in southern Armenia) for 100 years has been discussed. According to U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, this road will facilitate the implementation of the Zangezur corridor.

Yerevan called this option impossible and rejected it. "Armenia is discussing the issue of unblocking regional infrastructures exclusively in the context of its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and jurisdiction and cannot consider any other logic," said Prime Minister's press secretary Nazeli Baghdasaryan, commenting on Barrack's statement.-0-