Iran’s Ambassador to Armenia Khalil Shirgholami said at APRI Forum 2026 that preserving the status quo and rejecting geopolitical changes remain among Tehran’s principled positions on the regional situation.
He said positive intentions alone are not enough to establish and sustain peace. According to Sputnik Armenia, the diplomat argued that a genuine balance of power is needed between Armenia and Azerbaijan if the sides truly want peace, otherwise any settlement would remain fragile.
Shirgholami also said Tehran supports the development of more sustainable and effective regional formats, viewing them as a tool for securing long-term peace, stability and development.
The ambassador said Iran recognizes the legitimate interests of countries outside the region, but believes turning the South Caucasus into a field of competition among external actors could have adverse consequences for the entire region.
He added that Iran backs the development of regional transport links, while stressing that several fundamental conditions must be observed in implementing the TRIPP project. In his view, Armenia has the potential to become a connecting hub between the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean on one side and the Black Sea on the other.
According to the ambassador, Iran takes Armenia’s geopolitical position into account and understands the country’s need to diversify its transport links. At the same time, Tehran insists that TRIPP must not undermine Armenia’s territorial integrity or national sovereignty. The absence of a U.S. military presence in the region is also important for Iran.
Earlier, former Iranian parliament speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel said in Tehran that the U.S. and Israel were seeking to block one of the key routes linking Iran to Europe through Armenian territory. He said Tehran sees Armenia as an important land gateway to Europe, making the preservation of that route an interest shared by both countries.
Commenting on the TRIPP, or Trump Route, project, Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Khalil Shirgolami also said Yerevan should develop a mechanism that would allow it to unlock the potential of reopening regional communications while taking into account the possible risks and threats to Tehran arising from a U.S. presence.
