Tehran — The chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces delivered a pointed message to Armenia this week: Tehran supports peace in the South Caucasus, but it is uneasy with the growing role of the United States in the region.
During talks in Tehran with Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan, Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi underscored what he called the “historical and cultural bonds” between Iran and Armenia. According to the official IRNA news agency, Mousavi said a peace agreement between Yerevan and Baku would help bring stability to the region. But he also issued a caution.
“The presence of extra-regional powers, including the United States, raises concern in the region,” Mousavi said.
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The remarks reflect Iran’s balancing act. On one hand, it welcomes de-escalation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. On the other, it sees Washington’s growing role — from the U.S.-brokered peace deal to the proposed “Trump Route” corridor — as a direct challenge to its influence.
Grigoryan’s visit included talks with President Masoud Pezeshkian on a “strategic partnership.” The discussions endorsed peace but drew Iran’s red line: the U.S. must not dictate the region’s future.
Why it matters: For Armenia, Iran is a hedge against isolation as ties with Russia fray. For Iran, the corridor through southern Armenia threatens to sideline Tehran from regional trade and deepen its encirclement.
The bigger triangle: Russia, mired in Ukraine, struggles to hold sway. Turkey is deepening its alliance with Baku. That leaves Iran facing a U.S.-Turkey-Azerbaijan axis on its northern border — a scenario it is signaling it will not accept quietly.
