Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei told Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan that Iran’s late president Ebrahim Raisi demonstrated sensitivity toward Armenia’s border issues when the two met in Tehran on Wednesday.
Pashinyan traveled to Iran on Wednesday to take part in the official memorial ceremonies for the late president, Raisi, foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other officials who died after their helicopter crashed on Sunday near the Iran-Azerbaijan border.
“Our late president was very sensitive to the border issues related to Armenia, and these sensitivities and cares should still be taken into account. We should be able to secure our interests,” Ayatollah Khamenei told Pashinyan, according to the IRNA news agency.
The Supreme Leader highlighted the historical-geographic similarities and common interests of
Khamenei added that Iran’s policy of expanding relations with Armenia will continue under the guidance of Iranian Vice President Mohammad Mokhbar.
“We were shocked to hear the news of the death of the President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran and his entourage in an air crash,” Pashinyan told the Supreme Leader. “We are sure that under your leadership, there will be no disturbance in Iran’s affairs.” IRNA reported.
Pashinyan also met with Iran’s Acting President Mohammad Mokhber in Tehran where he expressed his condolences on the loss of the country’s leaders.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan meets with Iran’s Acting President Mohammad Mokhber in Tehran on May 22
The prime minister emphasized that he and Ebrahim Raisi “were connected not only by partnership but also by warm friendship, which positively influenced Armenian-Iranian relations,” said a statement from his press service.
Pashinayn also expressed hope that the programs “outlined with Raisi will be implemented and that positive relations between the two countries will continue.”
Mokhber, Iran’s acting president, assured that all the projects aimed at developing Armenian-Iranian relations, will be move forward.
“Armenia and the Armenian people mourn and share the pain of the people of friendly Iran,” Pashinyan told Mokhber.
Iran’s acting president noted that the Armenian prime minister’s presence “gives them strength in these difficult days. The disaster shocked the entire people of Iran, and I appreciate that friendly people of Armenia today share their grief.”