The "Zangezur Corridor" is a route that will connect Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan through Armenian territory. Azerbaijan and Turkey support the project, while Armenia is concerned that it will lead to a change of borders. According to Mehr, Iran shares those concerns, considering the "Zangezur Corridor" a potential threat to its national security and regional influence.
"Talks about the "Zangezur Corridor" heated up after the last meeting between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia. The President of Russia did not address this issue directly. Still, after his visit, there were reports in the media that Putin and Aliyev reached critical agreements on unblocking transport communications. In addition, Russian officials, represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov, and the official representative of the Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, declare that Moscow supports Azerbaijan's plan to enter Nakhichevan unhindered.
Why is Iran against the Zangezur Corridor? It is a "red line" for Iran. There are several reasons for Iran's position regarding the creation of the corridor, including:
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With the creation of the "Zangezur Corridor," Iran will lose the common border with Armenia;
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Iran will also lose its alternative route to Europe, as well as its transit importance;
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The route will connect China with Europe, challenging Iran's geostrategic advantages.
In an interview given to Mehr, Iranian political scientist and former diplomat Mohsen Paquin stated that Russia's position should be clarified after Putin visits Azerbaijan. "It seems that after Putin's comments, the "Zangezur Corridor" will be opened, the border with Iran will change immediately, and the country will have problems with Russia and Azerbaijan. As long as Azerbaijan and Russia are our friends, we should carefully study the situation and negotiate with Moscow and Baku. The Western media exploit this topic and try to drive a wedge in our relations with Russia and Azerbaijan."
According to political scientists, Russia seeks to open the corridor under the control of Russian forces through the provisions of the 2020 ceasefire agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Putin raised that issue in Baku.
Commenting on the visit, Ebrahim Aziz, chairman of the Iranian parliament's national security and foreign policy committee, said: "Iran is firmly against the corridor. The "Zangezur" corridor is fake, and most likely, under the name of that corridor, there are some projects aimed at reducing Iran's military and political power in the region."
Mehdi Sobhani, the Iranian Ambassador to Armenia, also reaffirmed Tehran's position, saying Iran is not against lifting the blockade. Still, it should take place under the national jurisdiction of the involved countries. "We are sure that the government of Armenia should carry out all the control within the framework of its sovereignty," writes Mehr.
