Armenia and Iran have commenced a joint military exercise along their shared border, the Armenian Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday.
The two-day drill, involving special forces from both countries, will take place on their respective territories. According to the ministry, Armenian forces will operate within Armenia, while their Iranian counterparts will remain on Iranian soil. The exercise will simulate a coordinated response to hypothetical terrorist threats targeting border crossings.
No details were provided on the number of troops involved, and the Iranian military has not yet confirmed participation in what may be the first joint exercise of its kind between the two nations.
The drills come amid growing concern in Armenia over potential Azerbaijani military actions aimed at creating a land corridor to the Nakhichevan exclave through Armenia’s Syunik province — the only region that borders Iran. Earlier this year, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev reiterated his intention to open the route by force if necessary, a move strongly supported by Turkey.
Iran has consistently opposed any attempts by Azerbaijan or Turkey to alter regional borders or sever Iran’s land connection with Armenia. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed Tehran’s position during a visit to Yerevan on March 25, denouncing the so-called “Zangezur Corridor.”
While the Armenian government has welcomed Iran’s firm stance, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s administration has until recently been cautious about expanding military cooperation with Tehran, focusing instead on strengthening ties with Western partners.
This approach has drawn criticism from some opposition figures. Armen Rustamyan of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation argued on March 10 that Armenia should pursue a formal defense alliance with Iran to deter potential Azerbaijani aggression.
In March 2024, Defense Minister Suren Papikian visited Tehran, where he and Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani reportedly reached several “understandings of mutual interest.” The Armenian Defense Ministry did not provide further details.
