Armenia Sends Humanitarian Aid to Iran

YEREVAN — Armenia has sent humanitarian aid, primarily medicines, to Iran amid an ongoing regional war involving the neighboring country, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said Monday.

Speaking in parliament, Mirzoyan said the government did not report the shipment earlier because it saw no need to give much publicity to the assistance..

“I want to inform you that the Republic of Armenia has sent humanitarian aid to the Islamic Republic of Iran, mainly in the form of medicines. It could not have been done otherwise,” Mirzoyan said at the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, responding to a question from opposition MPs.

Speaking to reporters after a committee meeting, Mirzoyan emphasized that Yerevan is interested in the “complete preservation of peace” in the region. “We feel sorry also for the brotherly people of Iran, and their neighboring Arab peoples and states are our friends. We are for peace to be established there as soon as possible,” he said.

Officials in Armenia have reacted cautiously to the continuing war that could have far-reaching ramifications for the South Caucasus nation’s security, emphasizing diplomacy as a solution to the conflict.

Iran remains a key trading partner for Armenia and one of its two overland routes to international markets.