US presence in region is source of concern for Tehran – Irina Fedorova

Speaking with Alpha News, Irina Fedorova, Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, commented on the statement of Ali Akbar Velayati, foreign policy advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader.

“I believe Akbar Velayati is saying that control over this transport route will be exercised by American companies. Naturally, the presence of American—even private military—companies located close to Iran is a source of concern for Tehran. In this situation, the Iranian leadership expresses concern precisely about this aspect of the construction and functioning of the transport route. Although the government in Yerevan says that this will fall under the jurisdiction and legal framework of the Armenian state, it seems to me that the Iranian side understands how strong the influence of the United States will be at this point in the region,” Fedorova said.