Iran’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia, Khalil Shirgolami, has said that managing the risks associated with the TRIPP project and addressing potential challenges should be among the key items on the Armenia-Iran bilateral agenda.
Recalling the overnight U.S. strikes on Iranian facilities, the ambassador said Iran has legitimate concerns regarding a possible American presence near its borders.
“Iran’s very legitimate and logical concern regarding the presence of Americans near its borders must receive a clear response. The Government of the Republic of Armenia has assured us that the implementation of this program and project will not create any challenge or threat for Iran as a result of a U.S. presence,” he said.
According to the ambassador, it is necessary to establish a mechanism that would enable Armenia to fully realize the potential of regional unblocking initiatives while addressing the concerns of all parties involved.
Shirgolami also described relations between Armenia and Iran as enduring and exceptional.
The ambassador said the late Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ali Khamenei, had a special attitude toward Armenia, referring to it as an “honest neighbor.”
“He also showed particular respect for the Armenian community living in Iran and took every opportunity to visit Armenian families, especially those whose sons were killed during the Iran-Iraq war,” the ambassador noted.
Shirgolami expressed hope that the late leader’s ideas would continue to guide the development of Armenia-Iran relations and the implementation of major joint projects in the future.
