Iran hopes the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace process will reach a mutually acceptable outcome but maintains that its long-standing “red line” against geopolitical changes in the region remains firmly in place, Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Khalil Shirgholami said at a March 2 press conference in Yerevan.

“Our wish is for the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan to achieve the set goals and ensure that the interests of both sides are established and preserved within this framework,” Shirgholami stated.

At the same time, he emphasized that Tehran’s core security doctrine regarding the South Caucasus has not changed. “The red line declared by us — the exclusion of geopolitical changes in the region — remains in force, and there has been no change in it. Whether we are at war or not, that red line is maintained,” he said, responding to questions about whether Iran’s position would shift in the event of renewed hostilities.

The ambassador also addressed Iran’s position on the TRIPP initiative and broader regional connectivity projects. Tehran has stressed that any new transit route should not be used by third parties in ways that could undermine Iran’s security interests. “We have stressed that the road, which will potentially create communication opportunities for Armenia, should not be used by foreign actors for actions against Iran,” Shirgholami said.

At the same time, he reaffirmed Tehran’s conditional support for Armenia’s “Crossroads of Peace” initiative. “We have also reaffirmed our support for the ‘Crossroads of Peace’ project, if it serves Armenia’s interests. The Armenian authorities have assured us that under no circumstances will this road have military or security implications, and that Armenia’s sovereignty will be preserved along the route,” he noted.

Shirgholami added that mutual trust underpins bilateral ties on sensitive regional matters.

Addressing regional security concerns, the ambassador said Armenian citizens currently in Iran who wish to leave can do so via the land border, which remains fully operational. “The land border between Armenia and Iran is operating normally,” he said, adding that land communication is “fully functional.”

He also noted that Iran has brought all its land borders to appropriate technical readiness and that Iranian embassies abroad have been instructed to take necessary steps to evacuate their citizens if needed, indicating broader contingency planning amid regional uncertainty.