The prospects of a peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan could unite some countries that are not usually on the same side of issues. This is because it appears that the US, Iran, Russia, Turkey, and basically everyone in the region would like to see a deal between Yerevan and Baku.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran welcomed the conclusion of a draft agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Iran’s official news agency, reported Wednesday.
Two weeks ago, the US State Department said: “The United States commends Armenia and Azerbaijan for concluding negotiations on a historic peace treaty. This is an opportunity for both countries to turn the page on a decades-old conflict in line with President [Donald] Trump’s vision for a more peaceful world. Now is the time to commit to peace, sign and ratify the treaty, and usher in a new era of prosperity for the people of the South Caucasus.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Tuesday in Washington. Rubio requested “support for peace in Ukraine and the South Caucasus,” his office said.
Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT), Turkey’s national public broadcaster, reported: “US Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the agreement on a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, underscoring the importance of lasting security and prosperity in the region, according to the State Department.”
“The secretary welcomed the agreement on a peace treaty with Azerbaijan and underlined the importance of a lasting peace to break the cycle of regional conflict and bring security and prosperity to the South Caucasus,” TRT quoted State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce as saying after a phone call between Rubio and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Tuesday.
Fidan had held talks in Washington about the peace deal, media outlets in Azerbaijan reported.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had informed Russian President Vladimir Putin about the completion of talks on a peace treaty with Azerbaijan, Russian state media reported earlier this month.
Pope Francis also welcomed the chance for peace between the countries, according to other reports.
As Fidan was in Washington, Araghchi met with Pashinyan in Yerevan on Tuesday.
“Prime Minister Pashinyan expressed his satisfaction with the progress in cooperation between Armenia and Iran,” IRNA reported. “He also described the relations between the two countries as being based on the mutual and natural interests of the two nations, which have been established over many years. He said ties were now moving toward increased consolidation.”
Iranian support for Armenia
Meanwhile, Araghchi also discussed the importance of peace in the South Caucasus region and discussed Iran’s role in the region.
“Foreign Minister Araghchi said... the growing Iran-Armenia relationship had mutual benefits for both countries and guaranteed peace and stability in the region,” IRNA reported. “He emphasized that Iran and Armenia should, by taking advantage of their civilizational, cultural, and historical ties, as well as people-to-people relations, strive to promote relations and cooperation in all fields, especially in the economy, trade, tourism, transit, transportation, and energy fields. Araghchi also said that security and stability in the South Caucasus was of strategic value to Iran.”
Araghchi also held a meeting with his Armenian counterpart, Ararat Mirzoyan.
Iran has welcomed the potential deal with Baku. While Tehran has close ties with Yerevan, it also knows Baku is the stronger of the two countries.
Azerbaijan defeated Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023, and 50,000 Armenians fled the disputed area. Armenia has suffered several defeats in recent years.
Baku has wisely invested its money from energy resources in new military technology. Azerbaijan also has strong ties with Israel and Turkey.
Iran wants to work with both Armenia and Azerbaijan. This is especially true for its interest in a north-south trade corridor, linking Baku to the Persian Gulf and Central Asia.
Tehran believes a peace deal will lead to economic development in the region. This will help Iran as well.
“Armenia and Azerbaijan have been locked in conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region for nearly four decades,” IRNA reported. “In 2020, Azerbaijan launched a military operation that ultimately resulted in taking about a third of Nagorno-Karabakh. Almost all of the nearly 100,000 Armenians in the region fled to Armenia as refugees.”
Iran backs the territorial integrity of countries, Tehran said.
The potential deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan could help pave the way for more deals. US President Donald Trump has tapped special envoy Steve Witkoff to play a role in many of these discussions, including talks in Moscow, the Gaza ceasefire deal that took place in January, and potential talks with Iran and peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Witkoff was in Baku in mid-March. Many things are in the air, but the more peace deals the US can back, the more Trump’s administration can see this as a win and a key part of its doctrine.
For instance, Russia and Ukraine now seemed headed for a potential Black Sea deal and energy truce. This could build confidence toward a larger ceasefire.