First, it should also be recalled that, alongside your noted report, there was also a report on what our ambassador told the Iranian side during that meeting. The ambassador reiterated that TRIPP is a business project that will operate under Armenia’s full sovereignty, territorial integrity, legality, and the principles of equality and reciprocity, and that TRIPP is not the same as the “Zangezur corridor.” Vice speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia, Ruben Rubinyan, told this to reporters at the NA Tuesday. He noted this referring to concerns coming from Iran regarding the “Trump Route” project, in particular that the adviser to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution had noted that the aforementioned project follows the logic of the “Zangezur corridor” and they see a problem that NATO could be present there, creating security issues for Iran.

“As for Iran’s positions, we [i.e. Armenia] are constantly in contact with our Iranian counterparts, and inform them about developments, take their sensitivities into account. Their interests are considered, and in this regard it is very important to note that the Iranian MFA, including the foreign minister of Iran, has repeatedly noted that this project takes their red lines into account and also creates opportunities for them. I believe this is in effect,” Rubinyan added.

And when asked why such statements continue to come from the Iranian side, the Armenian NA vice speaker replied: “Generally, any official position of a country is expressed by that country’s foreign ministry. We [i.e. Armenia] rely on the statements of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

We can say the following: A) It is ruled out that there will be any project in Armenia that will contradict Armenia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and will not be under Armenia’s full jurisdiction. B) We take into account all vital interests of our neighbors, and in Iran’s case, generally these interests by and large coincide with those of Armenia. We do not believe there is any cause for concern, and in this regard we are in general contact with all our partners.

We are pleased with the fact that the Iranian MFA has repeatedly noted that there is genuinely no ‘corridor’ issue in this matter, and Iran’s red lines are also taken into account. In reality, this is not only Iran’s red line; it is first and foremost Armenia’s red line that there will be no extraterritorial corridor through Armenian territory.”