Iran Opposes U.S. Presence in the South Caucasus, Foreign Ministry Says

TEHRAN — Iran opposes any U.S. presence in the South Caucasus and has reiterated its longstanding position regarding regional security, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei.

Speaking to the ISNA news agency, Baghaei welcomed efforts to develop regional economic ties and reopen transportation routes but expressed strong skepticism toward U.S. involvement, describing it as destabilizing.

“The South Caucasus is Iran’s immediate neighborhood, and Iran considers the region’s economic development, stability, and peace to be fully aligned with its national interests,” Baghaei said.

“Tehran has repeatedly stated that the destructive intervention of extra-regional actors in developments in the South Caucasus poses a serious challenge to the interests, stability, and peace of the countries in the region and will not lead to anything positive,” he added.

The Iranian official emphasized that regional issues should be resolved by the countries of the region themselves and warned against outside powers becoming involved in the South Caucasus.