Given the hostile attitude of the US, especially President Donald Trump, towards the Iranian people, Tehran was seriously concerned about the presence of Americans on the border between Armenia and Iran, and the latter had expressed this concern to Armenia.

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.

“At the same time, we are confident that, taking into account the brotherly relations between Armenia and Iran, we can properly keep this matter under control. If the US, during the implementation of TRIPP, is guided by the approach that it should hinder the development of relations between Armenia and Iran as little as possible, then this will also become a very important achievement.

However, it is very difficult to express an opinion on this matter for now. The best way to dispel Iran’s concerns is the existence of an institutional mechanism through which it will be possible to discuss emerging issues and manage them,” Shirgholami added, noting that there are disagreements also within Armenia regarding the implementation of the TRIPP project.

The Iranian diplomat noted that TRIPP is a historical test, the results of which will make it possible to assess how far-sighted and prudent Armenia will be. “We [i.e. Iran] hope that in this important matter, Armenia’s government will adopt an approach that Armenia’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity will not be harmed, as well as the country will be able to consistently advance its economic interests, and that relations between Armenia and its neighbors will not suffer,” said the Iranian ambassador to Armenia.