Yerevan: Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Tuesday announced that Armenia and Iran have agreed on the necessity of elevating their bilateral ties to the level of a strategic partnership.

According to Anadolu Agency, Pashinyan made this declaration alongside Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during a joint press conference in Yerevan, following discussions between the two leaders.

Pashinyan expressed optimism that President Pezeshkian's visit to Yerevan would enhance the bilateral relationship, highlighting Armenia's appreciation for Iran's support of Armenia's territorial integrity and sovereignty. He revealed plans for the construction of a second bridge on the Armenia-Iran border, indicating a joint effort to increase trade turnover and further cooperation in various sectors including economy, infrastructure, energy, healthcare, culture, and environment.

Pezeshkian emphasized Iran's commitment to developing its relationship with Armenia across all areas, particularly in economic cooperation. He also stressed that peace in the South Caucasus region remains a strategic priority for Iran and affirmed Tehran's support for ongoing peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The discussions concluded with the signing of 10 documents, including a joint statement reinforcing the intention to deepen bilateral relations and advance them to a strategic partnership level. Pezeshkian's official visit to Yerevan commenced on Monday and is part of a broader diplomatic tour, with a subsequent visit to Minsk for talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

This diplomatic engagement follows the recent initialing of a 17-point peace deal between Azerbaijan and Armenia, facilitated by the US, to resolve longstanding conflicts between the two neighbors. The deal marks a significant step towards peace in the South Caucasus, where Armenia and Azerbaijan have experienced multiple conflicts since the late 1980s, the most recent being in 2023.