First of all, it should be recalled that alongside the publication you mentioned, there was also a report on what our ambassador said to the Iranian side, and the ambassador reiterated that TRIPP is a business project that will operate under Armenia’s full sovereignty, territorial integrity, and jurisdiction, based on the principles of equality and reciprocity. And no, TRIPP is not the same as the “Zangezur corridor”.
Deputy Speaker of Armenia’s National Assembly Ruben Rubinyan stated this during a briefing with journalists in parliament, commenting on reports that concerned statements were being voiced from Iran regarding the “Trump Route,” in particular that an adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution had told Armenia’s ambassador that TRIPP follows the same logic as the “Zangezur corridor.”
“As for Iran’s positions, we are in constant contact with our Iranian partners and keep them informed about developments, while taking their sensitivities into account.
Their interests are taken into consideration, and in this regard it is very important to note that Iran’s Foreign Ministry, including Iran’s foreign minister, has repeatedly stated that this project takes into account their red lines and also creates opportunities for them. I believe this remains valid,” the deputy speaker said.
In response to a follow-up question on why such statements are nevertheless coming from Iran, Rubinyan said that one must take into account the official position of Iran-as of any country- and that a country’s official position is expressed by its Foreign Ministry.
“We are guided by the statements of Iran’s Foreign Ministry.
We can state the following:
a) it is excluded that there will be any project in Armenia that contradicts Armenia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity or that will not be under Armenia’s full jurisdiction;
b) we take into account all vital interests of our neighbors, and in the case of Iran, those interests largely coincide with Armenia’s interests.
We do not believe there is any reason for concern, and in this regard we remain in contact with all our partners. We are also encouraged by the fact that Iran’s Foreign Ministry has repeatedly stated that there is no corridor issue in this matter, and that Iran’s red lines are taken into account.
In fact, this is not only Iran’s red line- first and foremost, it is Armenia’s red line that there will be no extraterritorial corridor through the territory of the Republic of Armenia,” Ruben Rubinyan emphasized.
