Armenia assures Iran TRIPP will not threaten its security, ambassador says

Armenia has assured Iran that the proposed Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) will not pose a security threat to Tehran, Iran's ambassador to Armenia said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a news conference, Iranian Ambassador Khalil Shirgholami said managing the risks associated with the initiative and addressing any resulting challenges should remain a central item on the Armenian-Iranian bilateral agenda.

"Managing the risks arising from this project and eliminating any potential challenges should be among the key issues on the Armenian-Iranian agenda," Shirgholami said when asked about Tehran's position on TRIPP.

The ambassador said Iran's principal concern centers on the possibility of a U.S. presence near its borders. He noted that less than three weeks have passed since the signing of a memorandum between Iran and the United States, yet violations have already occurred.

"Iran's legitimate and reasonable concerns about an American presence in the vicinity of its borders must receive a clear response, and those concerns should be addressed," he said.

“The Armenian government has assured Tehran that any U.S. presence associated with implementation of the project would not pose a challenge or threat to Iran,” Shirgholami added.