Iran Draws a Red Line: Strong Support for Armenia, Warning to Israel and Azerbaijan

Iran’s ambassador to Armenia, Mehdi Sobhani, delivered a clear message from Tehran: Iran stands firm in support of Armenia’s sovereignty and regional peace, while rejecting any threat to the country’s territorial integrity. The comments came during a press conference in Yerevan, where Sobhani addressed a wide range of issues—spanning Israel’s aggression, regional corridors, Azerbaijan’s actions, and future Iran-Armenia cooperation.

Ambassador Sobhani revealed that Iran is currently reviewing the full extent of the damage caused by Israeli military strikes, which were recently halted following a ceasefire. A team of legal experts within Iran’s foreign ministry is assessing the situation to prepare a demand for compensation. According to the ambassador, Iran plans to appeal to international organizations, holding Israel fully responsible for what it calls “illegal aggression.”

Sobhani warned that if the ceasefire is violated again, Iran will not remain silent. “Iran is not Lebanon,” he emphasized, making it clear that any new attacks from Israel will lead to a strong and direct response.

Sobhani pointed to a long history of Israeli provocations dating back to 1948, claiming that Israel has caused or engaged in at least 12 wars and has violated ceasefires up to 250 times. He stressed that Iran’s recent military actions were based on the principle of self-defense, not aggression. “If the other side stops its attacks without preconditions, the Iranian side will also stop its defensive actions,” he said.

The ambassador accused Israel of deceiving the global community for decades, especially regarding Iran’s nuclear program. He also stated that the United States was aware of Israel’s military plans and warned that any direct U.S. involvement would bring an Iranian response.

Iran is also closely monitoring reports that drones used against Iran may have entered from Azerbaijani territory. During a phone call between the presidents of Iran and Azerbaijan, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian asked for a full investigation. Iran’s intelligence services are now waiting for the outcome before deciding their next steps.

While Azerbaijan has promised not to allow its land to be used against Iran, the Iranian ambassador said it is still possible that Israel took advantage of a weak moment. “We all know the Zionist regime very well: they do not follow any rules,” Sobhani stated.

Iran again voiced strong opposition to Azerbaijan’s plan to open the so-called “Zangezur corridor” through southern Armenia. According to Sobhani, such a route would harm both Armenian and Iranian interests. “For us, this is a red line,” he said, repeating that Iran has communicated this to all countries involved.

Iran insists it will not accept any regional project that ignores Armenia’s sovereignty or seeks to isolate it. The ambassador emphasized that Iran’s actions in response to Israeli aggression prove its loyalty to these “red lines,” even when facing nuclear powers like the U.S. and Israel.

Despite the growing tensions in the region, Iran continues to deepen ties with Armenia. According to Sobhani, work is underway to prepare for Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s first official visit to Armenia. The visit could take place by the end of summer. Discussions are already ongoing between both governments about which agreements could be signed during the trip. “Regardless of whether there is a war or not, life goes on,” the ambassador said.

This visit would be another strong signal of Iran’s commitment to Armenia during a critical period for the region.

Iran also expressed strong opposition to recent statements made by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which appeared to support Azerbaijani territorial claims against Armenia. The ambassador called such language “false and untrue” and said it works against peace and good neighborly relations.

He clarified that “Western Azerbaijan” is the name of a province inside Iran and should not be used to describe any part of Armenia. Iran firmly rejects any attempts to rewrite geography or history for political reasons.

Sobhani also stressed that Iran continues to support direct dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan and encourages the signing of a peace agreement. He said that Iran’s stance remains unchanged—it supports Armenia’s full territorial integrity and national sovereignty.

Iran’s message through its ambassador in Yerevan is clear: it is committed to protecting its interests, defending its allies, and standing up to what it sees as aggression and misinformation. At the same time, Iran continues to offer support to Armenia, not only in words but also through diplomatic efforts, regional cooperation, and future planning.

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