According to the Armenian government’s press service, the two officials also discussed the development of border infrastructure, joint road construction projects, and cooperation in energy, agriculture, and other sectors.
Pashinian reportedly welcomed Pourmohammadi’s visit and stressed the importance of the effective work of the Armenian-Iranian intergovernmental commission, whose session is scheduled for November 10. He said the two countries were successfully implementing joint projects in various fields, contributing to the development and expansion of bilateral ties.
Pourmohammadi, in turn, conveyed the greetings of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation with Armenia, the Armenian government’s press office reported.
Earlier on Monday, Pourmohammadi also met with Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigorian. The two discussed regional connectivity and said that strengthening stability, developing economic ties, and unblocking transport links would create new opportunities for countries in the region, according to the Armenian government’s press office.
The Iranian vice president’s visit comes days after Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, sharply criticized Pashinian over the Armenian government’s efforts to implement the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), a U.S.-run transit corridor for Azerbaijan along Armenia’s border with Iran.
In an article published in the Iranian newspaper Ettela’at last week, Velayati accused Pashinian of increasing Armenia’s dependence on the West and said the project could open “a new chapter of hostility and tensions in the South Caucasus.” He also likened TRIPP to an extraterritorial corridor sought by Azerbaijan and opposed by Tehran.
The criticism contrasts with recent statements by Iranian government officials, notably Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Visiting Yerevan on October 16, Araghchi said the Iranians “trust our Armenian brothers” on TRIPP and believe “they are doing nothing that would compromise Iran’s security.”
On November 9, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei also said that Armenia had assured Tehran that TRIPP would not involve the deployment of U.S. military forces in the region.
“Armenia has given assurances that there would be no changes to the borders and that only Armenian companies would participate in the implementation of the project,” Baghaei said, according to Iran’s Tasnim news agency.
He said Iran supported the removal of transport restrictions in the region but opposed geopolitical changes and alterations to countries’ borders. Tehran would closely monitor developments despite its good relations with Armenia, he added.
Armenian Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Minister Davit Khudatian, meanwhile, said on Monday that Iran had no concerns about the implementation of TRIPP, citing his contacts with Iranian counterparts.
“We work with our Iranian partners in an atmosphere of mutual trust. Judging by that work, I am confident that they have no concerns,” Khudatian told reporters.