Iran proposes "3+3" talks to boost stability in South Caucasus

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has suggested that a “3+3” negotiation format could serve as a more effective mechanism for resolving issues in the South Caucasus.

In a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pezeshkian said that bringing together Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia with Russia, Türkiye, and Iran could enhance diplomatic efforts in the region, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

“I believe that negotiations in the "3+3" format, with the participation of Iran and Russia, will be a more effective and actionable mechanism for addressing the problems of the Caucasus region,” Pezeshkian’s press service quoted him as saying.

Azerbaijan and Armenia have signed a joint declaration committing to peace, following a trilateral meeting in Washington with US President Donald Trump on August 8.

The seven-point declaration endorses a draft agreement to restore relations, with both sides aiming for full ratification.

The countries also jointly requested the OSCE to dissolve the Minsk Group, long involved in mediating Nagorno-Karabakh talks.

The move aligns with a broader six-party South Caucasus initiative, proposed by Azerbaijan and Türkiye in 2020 and supported by Russia and Iran, though Georgia has opted out.

By Aghakazim Guliyev