Iran’s Ambassador to Armenia Khalil Shirgolami speaks to reporters in Yerevan on Jul. 8
Iran said on Wednesday that it wants clarity from Yerevan on what it called “legitimate concerns” voiced about the proposed Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity.
Official Tehran has voiced its concerns about the TRIPP project since last year when documents about the creation of the route were signed at the White House by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan.
Pashinyan met with President Massoud Pezeshkian of Iran last Friday when he visited Tehran to attend funeral ceremonies for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in U.S.-Israeli air strikes in February.
In a clear reference to the United States and TRIPP, Pezeshkian warned Pashinyan that “extra-regional” powers must not be allowed to interfere in Armenian-Iranian relations. Pashinyan reportedly assured him that Yerevan “will not participate in any plan, project or action that is against the interests and security of Iran.”
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Iran’s Ambassador to Armenia Khalil Shirgolami said that the agenda for Armenia-Iran should include risk management and overcoming challenges arising from the possible implementation of the TRIPP project.
The Iranian diplomat added that after the signing of a memorandum between Iran and the US, Washington has repeatedly violated its provisions.
“Therefore, Iran’s concern about the presence of Americans near its borders is completely legitimate and logical, and a clear response should follow,” added Shirgholami.
The Iranian envoy to Armenia said that the Armenian government has assured that the implementation of the TRIPP project does not pose any threat or challenge to Iran due to the presence of Americans.
“It is necessary to develop mechanisms, within the framework of which the government of Armenia will be able to realize the full potential of unblocking, but at the same time, a clear response must be given to the presence of the Americans and the possible risks and threats for Iran,” Shirgholami added.
The Iranian ambassador then emphasized the importance of signing a strategic partnership agreement between Tehran and Yerevan, saying that such a document will create a new impetus in bilateral relations. He said that such an accord would open a new window for cooperation in various areas, including politics, economic development, investment and security.
He said Tehran is committed to institutionalizing Armenia-Iran cooperation within the framework of the planned strategic partnership document.
“It is our desire and will to carry out serious and decisive work to institutionalize Armenian-Iranian cooperation within the framework of the strategic partnership document. This has been discussed at various levels, and clear statements have been made. Last week, when the Armenian prime minister met with the Iranian president, the importance of this issue and the need to achieve results as soon as possible were once again emphasized,” Shirgholami said.
He said Iran is taking consistent steps toward signing the document.
“We are working on the text and hope to finalize and complete it soon and begin the signing process. Iran would warmly welcome the visit of honorable Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to Iran, where the document will be signed. This will create a new atmosphere in Armenian-Iranian relations and open a new window for further cooperation in various fields, including politics, the economy, investment and security,” the Iranian ambassador said.
Shirgholami also said Pashinyan attending Khamenei’s funeral last week signaled the closeness between Iran and Armenia, adding that the people of Iran always have regarded Armenians and Armenia with great respect and friendship.
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