Some experts view the TRIPP project as an attempt by the US to push China out of the South Caucasus region, explaining this by the fact that the US has always tried to connect Central Asia and the South Caucasus and take the region out of China's sphere of influence. 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.

"These analysts view Central Asia and the South Caucasus in a unified context, from the point of view of the economic interests of external players. Some even link this to the competition between the US and China for access to rare earths. Others believe that in this way, the US is trying to push Russia out of the region, which is traditionally known as Russia's sphere of influence," Shirgholami noted.

He reiterated that Iran will not tolerate the presence of American soldiers near its borders.

The Iranian ambassador to Armenia made reference to recent events and American military bases, which, in his opinion, have not become the basis for peace and security in the Persian Gulf.

“At the same time, we do not see that American soldiers can be deployed within the framework of TRIPP,” the Iranian diplomat concluded.