TEHRAN, August 15 — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the “Trump Route” (TRIPP) transport project linking mainland Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic through Armenia’s Syunik province respects Iran’s “red lines” and poses no threat to the country’s territorial integrity.
In an interview with IRNA, Araghchi said Armenia had engaged in intensive diplomacy to address Tehran’s concerns. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan personally reached out to Iranian leaders, and a deputy foreign minister traveled to Tehran to provide detailed explanations.
“We were concerned Baku might take control of Syunik to establish a direct land link,” Araghchi said. “But Azerbaijan has assured us such plans are off the table. The project is simply a road being built by an American engineering firm registered in Armenia and operating under Armenian law. It remains under Armenia’s sovereignty, with no American troops stationed near our borders. All of Iran’s red lines have been respected.”
He stressed that security along the route will be handled by Armenian authorities, with even private American security firms barred from operating in the country. “We have expressed our concerns, but we’ve been reassured. That said, we remain vigilant,” he added.
Addressing remarks by senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Akbar Velayati, Araghchi urged against exaggeration, saying claims that Iran is now “neighboring NATO” or “surrounded by America” do not match reality.
Araghchi reiterated that Iran welcomes peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan but opposes any form of foreign military presence in the region. He noted that the joint declaration signed in Washington in the presence of the US president confirms that borders will remain unchanged and that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all regional states will be respected — principles fully aligned with Iran’s position.
