Ayatollah Khamenei:

Iran-Armenia Ties Should Remain Strong, Friendly

TEHRAN (defapress) – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei hailed Armenia as a good neighbor of Iran, stressing that the two nations should maintain friendly ties despite the US plots.

News ID: 75879

Date: 28 February 2019 - 11:38

Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinian and his entourage met with Ayatollah Khamenei in Tehran on Wednesday.

In the meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei described Iran and Armenia as good neighbors that enjoy historical relations, stressing the necessity to increase the level of economic cooperation.

“Contrary to what the US desires, the ties between Iran and Armenia should be strong, persistent and friendly,” the Leader underscored.

Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the friendly relations between Iranians and their Armenian fellow citizens as well as the Iranian Armenian community's sacrifices during the Sacred Defense era (the 8-year Iraqi war on Iran), adding, “I have paid visits to the families of Iranian Armenian martyrs in Tehran, because we consider the Armenian martyrs of the imposed war as sources of pride and honor for Iran, just like the Muslim martyrs.”

The Leader regarded increased cooperation and friendly relations as a duty to be conducted in favor of common interests of Iran and Armenia, saying, “Of course, the US is completely unreliable and always tries to cause sedition, corruption, conflict and war; they are against the relations between Iran and Armenia and they oppose the interests of the nations. However, in response, we need to strengthen our relations and cooperation.”

Highlighting the friendly relations of Iran and Armenia throughout history, Ayatollah Khamenei went on to say, “Iran and Armenia have never had any problems with each other. According to our Islamic teachings, we deem ourselves obliged to behave well toward our neighboring countries; even though the US officials, such as John Bolton, have no understanding of such matters or of human relations.”

The Leader then stated that the level of economic cooperation between Iran and Armenia is much lower than the potentials the two nations possess, saying, “The agreements and ratifications concluded during this trip should be vigorously pursued.”

The leader also emphasized that resolution of the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh lies in the continuation of negotiations between the officials of Azerbaijan and Armenia, according to Khamenei.ir.

Ayatollah Khamenei expressed the willingness of the Islamic Republic of Iran to offer assistance in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

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