📌 Tehran, IRNA – President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran and Armenia should further expand their longstanding friendly relations, describing Armenians living in Iran as respected and honest people and an important asset in strengthening ties between the two countries.
President Pezeshkian made the remarks on Monday during a meeting with Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ararat Mirzoyan. The president said bilateral cooperation should be expanded in trade, science, culture and technology, referring to his recent constructive meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in New York on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly.
President Pezeshkian also discussed regional developments and Iran’s disputes with the United States. He said Washington had repeatedly attacked Iran after negotiations and argued that the US was seeking to undermine the Islamic Republic rather than pursue genuine dialogue.
The president further noted that Tehran had repeatedly demonstrated the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities and had accepted extensive monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He said Iran remained ready for talks and verification but questioned the safety of allowing international inspectors access to nuclear facilities when Iranian sites and scientists were subsequently targeted.
President Pezeshkian also criticized the US attack on an elementary school in Minab that killed 168 children, saying Washington had failed to explain the incident while continuing to raise human-rights concerns. He said negotiations were difficult with an adversary that repeatedly used sanctions, threats, pressure and attacks and had failed to honor agreements.
He stressed that Iran would strengthen relations with its neighbors and seek to withstand external pressure, adding that the US attack had instead increased cohesion among the Iranian people.
Mirzoyan, for his part, conveyed warm greetings from Prime Minister Pashinyan and said Armenia-Iran friendship and relations were becoming stronger by the day. He said bilateral cooperation was continuing at the international level despite sanctions and that Yerevan remained committed to expanding engagement with Tehran.
The Armenian foreign minister also described Armenia as a peace-oriented country seeking to establish peace despite the difficulties involved. He said Yerevan would work within the agreed framework to further develop cooperation between the two countries.
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