Iran, Armenia Top Security Officials Hold Talks In Tehran

Amid tensions between Iran and Azerbaijan, security officials from Armenia and Iran held talks in Tehran.

National security chief Ali Shamkhani met with his Armenian counterpart, Armen Grigoryan on Sunday.

Ali Shamkhani called the situation in the Caucasus region "sensitive" urging the two warring nations to "manage and resolve tensions with restraint".

“Tension and conflict in the Caucasus region is not in the interest of any country”, he said, critical strategic borders and the flow of trade vital for Iran with both nations.

Armenians are the largest Christian community in Iran, and relations between the two countries have been growing as Iran plays power games across critical borders. Last year, Iran opened a consulate in Kapan, making Iran the first country to establish a diplomatic mission in the province that is sought by both Baku and Ankara.

The meeting with Azerbaijan’s archrival comes amidst a tense few months between Tehran and Baku, with relations souring following an armed attack on Azerbaijan’s embassy in Tehran in January.

Just last week, Azerbaijan expelled four Iranian diplomats over “provocative actions” which have yet to become clear, with Iran vowing to do the same. Six Azerbaijanis were arrested hours earlier accused of a Shi’ite coup plot, believed to have been led by Tehran.

After Iran called on Azerbaijan to show “Islamic solidarity” against Israeli actions in Al Aqsa Mosque last week, its foreign ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada, highlighted Iranian hypocrisy in its failure to condemn what it calls occupation by Armenia. He said Iran “did not protest against the occupation of the lands of the Republic of Azerbaijan by Armenia for 30 years”.