Pezeshkian’s Minsk visit complements Yerevan visit
Bright horizons in Belarus-Iran relations
By Nino Kvernadze
Senior expert at Middle East Research Center
The visit of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Belarus, coming just one day after his extensive meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan, carries a clear message for Europe and the United States.
Pezeshkian’s trip to Armenia took place at a moment when the South Caucasus was overshadowed by the signing of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, alongside discussions about the growing influence of the United States in the region and the weakening role of traditional actors. His visit signaled Iran’s firm position that “any change to the geopolitical map of the South Caucasus is unacceptable.” In this sense, his trip to Minsk can be seen as complementary to his visit to Yerevan.
The decision of President Pezeshkian to pay an official visit to Belarus represents the logical continuation of Iran’s foreign policy — a policy that prioritizes multipolarity, the preservation of national sovereignty, independence, and resistance to coercion. It should be noted that this policy is fully shared and supported by Belarus.
Although Pezeshkian’s visit to Minsk had originally been scheduled for June 26–27, 2025 — during which he was expected to take part in events related to the Eurasian Economic Union — the trip was postponed due to the escalation of the conflict with Israel. Nevertheless, its eventual realization underlines the importance both countries attach to strengthening their bilateral ties.
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