Iran Seeks Clarity in Yerevan Over US-Backed ‘Trump Road’

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is set to visit Armenia from August 18 to 21, a high-stakes trip aimed at bolstering bilateral relations while seeking to allay Tehran’s significant concerns over a new US-backed transport project in the South Caucasus. The visit comes just weeks after a controversial initiative, dubbed the “Trump Road to International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP), was unveiled during Armenian-Azerbaijani peace talks in Washington, creating a complex diplomatic challenge for Yerevan.

Officially, the four-day visit is focused on strengthening economic and strategic ties. According to the Iranian President’s political advisor, Mehdi Sanaei, the agenda includes fortifying trade relations and signing new agreements. This sentiment was echoed by Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, who emphasized a commitment to opening “new horizons” with Yerevan. A key event will be the Armenian-Iranian business forum on August 19, intended to spur cooperation in industry, construction, and agriculture.

However, the diplomatic pleasantries are overshadowed by Tehran’s deep apprehension towards the TRIPP initiative. For Yerevan, the project is a strategic opportunity, offering an alternative to the so-called Zangezur corridor and serving as a cornerstone of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s “Crossroads of Peace” vision for the region. The project aims to enhance regional connectivity under the security and investment umbrella of the United States.

While Iran has cautiously welcomed the preliminary peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan, its reaction to the US-led road project has been one of alarm. Tehran fears that behind Washington’s promises of investment and security lie “imperialist ambitions” that pose a direct threat to the Islamic Republic’s regional influence and national security. This has created a diplomatic tightrope for Armenia, which must now balance its historic partnership with Iran against new strategic opportunities offered by the West.

According to Hayk Khalatyan, head of the Analytical Center for Strategic Studies and Initiatives, Iran’s leadership is internally divided on the issue. Hardliners connected to the Supreme Leader have reacted harshly to the deal, while President Pezeshkian’s reformist government has been more moderate, though still expressing deep concern. Khalatyan believes Pezeshkian’s primary goal in Yerevan is to “understand what exactly Yerevan and Washington agreed on and to what extent the Americans will be present in the South Caucasus.”

The Iranian president’s team is reportedly under domestic pressure following perceived foreign policy setbacks, and the American-led road project in its immediate neighborhood could be viewed as another. Consequently, the upcoming talks in Yerevan will be a crucial test of the Armenia-Iran relationship, as both nations navigate a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape where long-standing regional partnerships clash with superpower rivalries.