Iran’s newly appointed ambassador to Armenia, Khalil Shirgholami, stated in an interview with Armenpress that his main diplomatic priority will be implementing the Armenia-Iran strategic partnership agreement, currently in preparation.
Speaking on Iran’s position regarding the TRIPP initiative, Shirgholami said that while Iran welcomes Armenia’s efforts toward regional unblocking, Tehran is concerned about the role and influence of the United States.
“We have told our Armenian partners that we trust them, but we’re dealing with the United States. The U.S. is known for its hostile actions against Iran, so we do not trust them. We are concerned that the U.S. might use this project as part of a targeted political agenda. We’ve conveyed this concern to our Armenian partners, who in turn assured us that Armenia will never become a source of threat to Iran. We agreed to maintain continuous dialogue to fully understand the scope of the project,” he said.
He added that during a recent visit, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Takht Ravanchi discussed with Armenian leadership the creation of a 2026 bilateral roadmap, as well as finalizing the strategic partnership document, which is expected to be signed this year.
Shirgholami emphasized Iran’s participation in the Kajaran tunnel project, noting progress on that front, and said that economic and trade cooperation is growing dynamically. He added that sectoral reviews are underway to expand bilateral cooperation.
As for his diplomatic priorities, Shirgholami said his primary focus is implementing the strategic partnership agreement, while also highlighting the need to enhance cooperation in transport, energy, free trade, tourism, and education.
He noted that the strategic document is currently being developed, incorporating both sides’ proposals, and the final version will be signed during a high-level meeting.
Responding to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to impose a 25% tariff on countries trading with Iran, the ambassador said such restrictions are nothing new. Despite tightening sanctions, Iran and Armenia continue cooperation based on shared interests and political will, he noted.
On the topic of the new electricity transmission line, Shirgholami said the project is 92% complete, and despite challenges faced by the Iranian contractor, steps are being taken to finalize it. He underscored its importance for supplying power to Iran’s northwestern provinces.
Concluding, he stressed the civilizational and historical depth of Iran-Armenia relations and emphasized that no project should undermine their strength. He expressed hope that Iran’s concerns will be heard and that the ongoing dialogue would help avoid any misunderstandings.
At a recent press conference, Ambassador Shirgholami also issued sharp remarks regarding ongoing protests outside the Iranian embassy in Yerevan, claiming Armenia is becoming a hub for anti-Iranian forces.
