On October 23, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is scheduled to depart for Tehran to participate in a ministerial gathering of the 3+3 consultative platform focused on the South Caucasus. The visit underscores ongoing regional diplomacy and Russia’s role in shaping talks among neighboring states.
The 3+3 format brings together three South Caucasus states Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, alongside three nearby powers Russia, Türkiye, and Iran. This framework aims to discuss security, stability, and regional cooperation in a multi-party setting, with an emphasis on practical dialogue that complements broader international efforts.
Historically, the first meeting in this format occurred in December 2021 in Moscow, a gathering that was led by deputy foreign ministry officials at the time. Georgia did not participate in that initial session, a stance that has been revisited in subsequent discussions.
In the current round, the agenda is not publicly finalized, but expectations indicate that Nagorno-Karabakh will be a central topic. The talks are seen as a potential channel for de-escalation, humanitarian considerations, and confidence-building measures that could reduce tensions in the wider South Caucasus region.
Armenia, represented in the diplomatic outreach, has indicated readiness to engage within the 3+3 structure, while Georgia has again opted out of attending the ministerial meeting. Lavrov has emphasized that Moscow maintains open channels with Tbilisi and that Georgian participation can be reconsidered at any point should their stance change.
Observers in Canada and the United States track these discussions as part of a broader effort to stabilize a volatile neighborhood where parallel tracks of diplomacy, security concerns, and regional integration continually intersect. The outcome of the Tehran talks could influence future visits, regional memoranda, and the alignment of neighboring states on issues ranging from border management to transit routes and energy security.
As with prior sessions, the eventual communiqué may stress the importance of continued dialogue, stabilization of conflict zones, and practical steps toward humanitarian access and reconstruction. While specifics remain under wraps, the meeting is positioned as a barometer of regional willingness to collaborate across national lines for shared security interests.
Overall, the Tehran gathering in the 3+3 format represents a concerted effort by involved states to maintain engagement despite differences, while signaling a readiness to pursue constructive diplomacy in ways that could shape the South Caucasus for years to come.