Iran Urges Armenia, Azerbaijan to Avoid Escalation through ‘Dialogue’

An Armenian soldier looks through binoculars as he stands at fighting positions near the village of Taghavard in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh (File Photo: Reuters)
An Armenian soldier looks through binoculars as he stands at fighting positions near the village of Taghavard in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh (File Photo: Reuters)
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Iran Urges Armenia, Azerbaijan to Avoid Escalation through ‘Dialogue’

An Armenian soldier looks through binoculars as he stands at fighting positions near the village of Taghavard in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh (File Photo: Reuters)
An Armenian soldier looks through binoculars as he stands at fighting positions near the village of Taghavard in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh (File Photo: Reuters)

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri-Kani called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to avoid renewed tensions and achieve stability through dialogue, pledging that Tehran would use its full potential to solve regional issues through peaceful talks.

During a press conference in Yerevan, Bagheri-Kani said that broadening relations with neighboring countries is Iran's topmost priority in its foreign policy, and Armenia is Iran's important neighbor.

Bagheri-Kani held talks with his Armenian counterpart and the Armenian foreign minister.

Armenpress reported that the Iranian official asserted that Iran is always a reliable partner in establishing peace and security, adding that the regional countries themselves are the guarantors of peace and stability.

He asserted that foreign forces couldn't ensure stability and peace because these forces pursued other goals.

Asked about the possible renewed tension in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, Bagheri-Kani said that diplomacy was created to achieve stability through peaceful dialogue.

"I assume that the leaders of the regional countries are wise enough to choose dialogue for resolving issues. Iran will use its full capacity and potential to solve the issues through peaceful dialogue,” Bagheri-Kani said.

Media activists close to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that Iranian fighter jets flew over the borders of Iran and Azerbaijan on Tuesday, speaking of the readiness of the Iranian military sectors stationed near the border.

- Military action

Al-Quds Force channel on Telegram stated that the Iranian army's second, third, fourth, and fifth air bases are on high alert following the heavy logistical movement of the Baku army and the possibility of an imminent attack on Armenia.

On Saturday, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador in protest against the flight of an Iranian military plane near the borders of the two countries.

The Foreign Ministry said in a joint statement with the Ministry of Defense that an Iranian military aircraft flew between the two countries 3-5 km from the state border.

"We strongly condemn the Iranian side for such a provocative step, urge them to provide an appropriate explanation, and refrain from such confrontational steps in the future," read the statement.

Tensions remain high between Azerbaijan and Iran as Azerbaijan and Armenia fight over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Last October, Iran launched military maneuvers near the border with Azerbaijan. Baku also maintained close relations with Israel, sparking outrage in Tehran.

Azerbaijan also bought Israeli-made drones for its army.

- Blinken offers mediation

The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense published a video accusing the Armenian forces of moving sectors where Russian peacekeepers are stationed in the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Azerbaijani media said that Baku repeatedly informed the international community about transferring military equipment.

Meanwhile, US Secretary Antony Blinken called Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev to offer continued US assistance in facilitating bilateral peace discussions with Armenia.

Blinken encouraged finding solutions to outstanding issues, stressing that there was no military solution.

The Secretary reaffirmed the importance of reopening the Lachin corridor to commercial and private vehicles, adding that the US looked forward to continued cooperation with Azerbaijan on the peace process.

On March 14, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warned of a "high possibility of an escalation" at the border with Azerbaijan and Nagorno, noting that he had complained to Russian President Putin about problems with the Russian peacekeeping force.



Iranians React to New Trump Travel Ban as Tensions are High Between Nations

Iranians walk next to an anti-US mural depicting Iran and the US negotiation table next to the former US embassy  in a street in Tehran, Iran, 26 April 2025. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
Iranians walk next to an anti-US mural depicting Iran and the US negotiation table next to the former US embassy in a street in Tehran, Iran, 26 April 2025. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
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Iranians React to New Trump Travel Ban as Tensions are High Between Nations

Iranians walk next to an anti-US mural depicting Iran and the US negotiation table next to the former US embassy  in a street in Tehran, Iran, 26 April 2025. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
Iranians walk next to an anti-US mural depicting Iran and the US negotiation table next to the former US embassy in a street in Tehran, Iran, 26 April 2025. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH

Iranians again face a US travel ban imposed by President Donald Trump, with the decision drawing anger, frustration and some shrugs given the decades of tensions between the countries.

Trump imposed a similar ban during his first term before withdrawing America unilaterally from Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, under which Iran drastically limited its program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

But when he returned to the White House and began seeking a new deal with Iran, it saw the country’s rial currency improve and stocks rise, but worries have grown as its government appears poised to reject an initial American proposal.

The travel ban has further darkened that mood and led Iranians to fear Trump will lump the nations' 80 million people alongside of its theocratic government even after he's repeatedly praised them while seeking a deal.
“Now I understand that Trump is against all Iranians, and his attitude is not limited to the government,” said Asghar Nejati, a 31-year-old man working in a Tehran pharmacy.

Even in the years after the 1979 Iranian Revolution and subsequent US Embassy hostage crisis, Iranian students traveled to the US to attend universities. Between 2018 to 2024, an average of around 10,000 Iranian students went to the US annually.

Estimates suggest some 1 million Iranian-origin people live in the US today.

Mehrnoush Alipour, a 37-year-old graphic designer, said the nations could have better relations if they could speak to each other in softer tones.

“This is another foolish decision. Trump cannot reach his goals by imposing pressures on ordinary Iranians," she said. "The two nations can have better relations through openings, not restrictions.”

Bank teller Mahdieh Naderi said Trump was lashing out over his frustration efforts to reach ceasefires in the Israel-Hamas war and the Russia-Ukraine war.

“Trump just expressed his anger about his failed plans,” Naderi said. “He is complaining about the Chinese and others who are living in the US, too
Some said interest in the US was already waning before the latest ban.

“Over the past years, two of my grandchildren went to Canada to continue their education there," said Mohammad Ali Niaraki, 75. "Iranians are not limited in immigration and they are not as interested to go to the US as they were decades ago. Iranians prefer Canada, as well as neighboring countries with flourishing economies.”

But others pointed out that high-ranking government officials have children living or working in the US, despite the tensions.

“It’s fine, but if he also kicks out the children of officials who live there it would be very nice,” said a man who just gave his name as Mehdi. “We can’t afford traveling to the US, almost 80% of us can’t. But if he kicks out those who are already there it would be much better.”

Tehran resident Mehri Soltani offered rare support for Trump’s decision.

“Those who have family members in the US, it’s their right to go, but a bunch of bad people and terrorists and murderers want to go there as well,” he said. “So his policy is correct. He’s doing the right thing.”