Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian met Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on October 24, on the sidelines of his Russia visit, to discuss expanding bilateral and regional cooperation.

Pezeshkian, despite being ethnically Azerbaijani, the second largest group in Iran, has remained steadfast to the Iranian state’s position of mutual protection for Christian Armenia over his brethren in Azerbaijan. Pezeshkian is also set to meet with his Azerbaijani counterpart as part of BRICS and regional talks whilst in Kazan.  

Pezeshkian said Iran places "special focus" on relations with neighbouring countries, describing Armenia as "a good friend and neighbour."

He added Iran's strong support for regional alliances, saying BRICS aims to counter "US and Western unilateralism."

The Iranian president criticised US and Western support for Israeli actions in Gaza, warning that "blind defence of Israeli aggression will set the region ablaze."

He said Iran had refrained from responding to Israel's "cowardly assassination of its official guest in Tehran" to help achieve a ceasefire.

Pashinyan called Iran an "important neighbour and sincere friend," stressing Armenia would continue developing relations with Iran "under any circumstances."

He said Armenia was keen to expand economic and trade cooperation, particularly in energy, with Iran and other regional countries.

"Our priority in regional policies is developing interactions with Iran," the Armenian premier said.

The meeting comes as both countries seek to strengthen regional partnerships amid growing tensions in the Middle East.

In September, Iran restated its opposition to the proposed Zangezur corridor, which would connect Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhchivan through Armenian territory, following recent statements of support for the project from Russian officials.

The controversy erupted after Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly expressed support for the corridor in a conversation with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, according to Baku-based media outlets.

This was followed by an official statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasising the necessity of establishing the Zangezur corridor.