Iran understands the geopolitical impasse in which Armenia finds itself, and the strengthening of Armenia, as well as the maximum use of its geographical, transit, and economic potential by Armenia, also stem from Iran's interests. Iranian ambassador to Armenia Khalil Shirgholami stated this at a conference on the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) regional transport project on Thursday.

"Iran has resolutely and clearly spoken out against the concept of a ‘Zangezur Corridor.’ as this project leads to the reduction of Armenia's sovereignty. Maintaining Armenia's national sovereignty and territorial integrity within the framework of any alternative project is a red line for Iran. If a situation arises when Armenia's national sovereignty or territorial integrity will be under threat, Iran will take a decisive and very serious stance," the ambassador noted.

He stated that the study of the matter should begin with the geopolitical deadlock and the feeling of historical compression that Armenia has experienced in various historical periods. “It was precisely the geopolitical deadlock that contributed to the formation of such a mindset in Armenia that the country’s potential should be used to break out of the deadlock.

The feeling of geopolitical isolation and historical compression played a more important role than economic considerations, which led to Armenia’s willingness to join the [TRIPP] project that connects [Azerbaijani exclave of] Nakhchivan with [mainland] Azerbaijan, and through it, Turkey with Baku.

How the TRIPP project can help Armenia break out of isolation and break free of the feeling of compression is a debatable question, and only time will tell whether it is feasible or not.

The second matter to consider is ensuring Armenia’s national sovereignty and the position on the need to provide guarantees for that sovereignty, especially in the context of external pressure, particularly in the context of the so-called ‘Zangezur Corridor’ project being promoted and exploited by Azerbaijan, as well as in the conditions of external pressure around Armenia, particularly in light of the demands that some of Armenia's neighbors have on Armenia.

This project contains elements unacceptable for sovereignty that posed threats to Armenia’s national sovereignty, and Armenia seems to have engaged the US as a balancing factor and additional guarantee to ensure security and sovereignty, as well as to mitigate pressure from Ankara and Baku.

Armenia’s approach is that no one but the US can assume that role, and [US President Donald] Trump’s egocentric and emotional nature has contributed to accelerating this process. Time will tell to what extent some parties within the framework of TRIPP are trying to implement the goals set forth in the ‘Zangezur Corridor’ and to what extent Armenia will manage to preserve [its] national sovereignty and guarantee its protection.

Time will also show how devoted the current and future US authorities will be to the implementation of the [TRIPP] project and to what extent they will try to support the protection of Armenia’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Shirgholami noted.

Also, the Iranian diplomat pointed out the importance of the TRIPP project’s implementation mechanism. “These mechanisms should be regulated in a way that contributes to the strengthening of Armenia’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as ensuring the realization of Armenia’s economic interests.

Detailed implementation mechanisms are of great importance. It seems to me that Armenia’s authorities also do not have a comprehensive understanding of this matter, and only time will show what it can be,” the Iranian ambassador to Armenia said.