Iran opposes TRIPP project, citing regional security risks

Iran’s Supreme Leader adviser Ali Akbar Velayati said the “Trump route” initiative (TRIPP) largely mirrors the Zangezur corridor project and that Tehran “firmly opposes it,” Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported.

Speaking at a meeting with Armenia’s ambassador to Iran, Grigor Hakobyan, Velayati said Iran had opposed the corridor idea from the outset because it rejects any changes to regional borders and fears it could pose security threats.

He said the project could pave the way for NATO to gain a presence north of Iran, creating “serious security risks for northern Iran and southern Russia.”

Velayati also said the United States has a track record of entering “sensitive regions” through projects presented as economic initiatives that later expanded into military and security-related presence.

Armenia’s diplomatic mission said Hakobyan briefed the Iranian side on the situation around the peace process with Azerbaijan. IRNA reported that Velayati welcomed efforts aimed at strengthening regional stability.

On reopening regional transport links, Hakobyan said TRIPP would be implemented, from Yerevan’s perspective, on the basis of territorial integrity, sovereignty, jurisdiction and reciprocity, and could open broad opportunities for the region’s economic development.

He added that Yerevan highly values Tehran’s position and takes into account Iran’s sensitivity on the issue from a political and security standpoint.

N.Təbrizli