The Iranian president, who is in Armenia on an official visit, ruled out the possibility of reaching a military solution over Nagorno-Karabakh as he addressed the problem at a joint news conference with his Armenian counterpart.
Hassan Rouhani reiterated his country’s interest in the maintenance of peace and stability in the region.
The Iranian leader said that the unsettled land dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan was on the agenda of his private talks with President Serzh Sargsyan.
“Armenia and Azerbaijan are our friends, so we are hopeful we will soon see sustainable peace in the region. Undoubtedly, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has no military solution. Hence, we are looking forward to a peaceful settlement.”
Mr Rouhani added that they also discussed regional developments with President Sargsyan. “We must be able to develop mutual cooperation with all countries to secure an effective outcome in the fight against terrorism,” he said.
“Iran and Armenia have been developing warm and close relations over the past 25 years since Armenia’s independence. Historically too, the people in this region and those from the territory of Iran have lived side by side for thousands of years, being under a common umbrella of civilization,” Mr Rouhani added.