Executive Summary
This report analyses the official visit of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Armenia, which resulted in the signing of ten memorandums covering political, economic, cultural, and scientific cooperation.
Both leaders underlined the strategic nature of bilateral ties, with the foreign ministers agreeing on a three-year consultation plan. The agreements show Tehran’s intent to reinforce its partnership with Armenia as Western influence expands in the South Caucasus.
Key Takeaways
- Armenia and Iran signed ten memorandums, signalling an expansion of cooperation across multiple sectors.
- Both Tehran and Yerevan framed the agreements as confirmation of a long-term strategic partnership.
- Tehran’s engagement reflects its concern over the Western presence near its borders and Iranian support for Armenia’s sovereignty.
Background Information
On Monday, August 18, 2025, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian paid an official visit to Yerevan that produced ten memorandums of understanding. The documents spanned political, economic, cultural, educational, and medical sectors.Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President Pezeshkiansigned a joint politicalstatement, confirming the strategic orientation of bilateral relations.
Iranian and Armenian foreign ministersAbbas Araghchi and Ararat Mirzoyanformalised a three-year consultation plan covering 2025–2027. The plan includes regular diplomatic meetings, coordinated strategies for regional issues, and greater alignment in international forums. Additionally,agreements on standardisation, certification, and technical regulation, aimed at simplifying trade processes, strengthened economic cooperation. Accords on tourism, education, medicine, and joint initiatives in cinema and cultural heritagereinforced cultural and humanitarian ties.
Pezeshkian’s emphasis reinforced the political and symbolic dimension of the visit on cultural and spiritual dialogue, illustrated by his attendance at theBlue Mosque in Yerevan. Negotiations went beyond symbolic gestures, covering energy cooperation, transport connectivity, and regional security.
Armenian authorities highlighted their interest in energy projects and gas and infrastructure links with Iran.
Geopolitical Scenario
The Pezeshkian–Pashinyan meeting and the agreements signed highlightTehran’s interest in reinforcing its presence in Armenia at a moment of geopolitical recalibration.
Iran sees growing Western involvement in the South Caucasus as a threat, especially since theUnited States gained access to Syunikthrough the Zangezur Corridor (renamed Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity) following theWashington-mediated peaceagreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Tehran has always opposed any agreement that would undermine Armenia’s control over Syunik, viewing such an agreement as a threat to its own border security.
Iran’s deepened engagement in Yerevan reflects its counterbalance strategy against U.S. influence. Previous initiatives, such as the establishment of atrade centre in Yerevan, underline the importance of bilateral economic cooperation.
Armenia is important to Iran and Russia in theInternational North–South Transport Corridor(INSTC). Because of its logistical situation,the country can provide another path from Indian ports to St. Petersburg via Iran and the Caspian Sea area, increasing Armenia’s worth as a transit partner.
For Armenia, the agreements confirm Pashinyan’s multipolar foreign policy approach. Having described reliance only on Russia as a strategic mistake, Yerevan has pursued broader partnerships, engaging the European Union, the United States, and regional actors.
Armenia can diversify its foreign policy, bolster its exports, and protect its sovereignty over Syunik by cooperating with Iran.Tehran can use this involvement to strengthen its presence in the Caucasus and avoid geopolitical isolation. The closer alignment of Yerevan with Washington remains a point of concern for Tehran, adding urgency to Pezeshkian’s visit.
Indicators to Monitor
- Implementation of the three-year Armenian–Iranian diplomatic consultation plan.
- Progress in energy, gas transport, and infrastructure cooperation between the two states.
- Armenian involvement in the International North–South Transport Corridor.
- U.S. and Western initiatives in Armenia, particularly in relation to the Syunik Province.
- Iranian political and economic follow-up to Pezeshkian’s visit, including trade facilitation measures.
Conclusion
The agreements signed during President Pezeshkian’s visit to Yerevan show Iran’s commitment to strengthening ties with Armenia in various fields.
Concern over Western engagement shapes Tehran’s outreach in the South Caucasus and its longstanding opposition to the Zangezur Corridor. For Armenia, the accords provide economic and political leverage, while supporting a multipolar foreign policy approach.
Assessing the future of Armenian-Iranian cooperation requires monitoring the practical implementation of the memorandums along with the geopolitical reactions of external actors.
*Cover image: the Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and the Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (Credits: Official Website of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran)
