Iran Claims Victory in Blocking Zangezur Corridor, Warns of Geopolitical Threats

Tehran has announced it successfully thwarted plans to establish the Zangezur Corridor, a proposed land route linking Azerbaijan to Turkey via Armenia’s Syunik province, which Iranian officials view as a major geopolitical threat.

In a televised interview on June 10 with Tasnim News Agency, Ali Akbar Velayati, the senior foreign policy adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned that the corridor was “a geopolitical maneuver disguised as a transportation project”, intended to isolate Iran and contain Russia by severing critical regional connections.

Velayati alleged that the corridor, if completed, would have blocked Iran’s only direct land access to Europe through Armenia, undermining Tehran’s strategic position in the South Caucasus. He also suggested—without public verification—that former U.S. President Joe Biden acknowledged the corridor’s readiness.

Corridor Proposal Faces Regional Disputes

The Zangezur Corridor plan emerged after the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war as part of the Russia-brokered ceasefire. Article 9 of that agreement called for the unblocking of transportation links, including between Azerbaijan and its exclave, Nakhchivan. However, Azerbaijan interprets the article as a green light for a secure and uninterrupted corridor through southern Armenia, while Yerevan insists all routes must remain under full Armenian sovereignty.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has repeatedly rejected corridor demands, and Turkey has expressed strong support for the project. In a 2023 summit in Nakhchivan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said if Armenia blocked the plan, Iranian routes could serve as alternatives.

The 2021 Shusha Declaration between Turkey and Azerbaijan had already outlined long-term infrastructure strategies, including the corridor.

Iran Strengthens Energy Ties with Armenia

While opposing the corridor, Iran has accelerated energy cooperation with Armenia, particularly through a new high-voltage electricity transmission line expected to go live by 2026. Armenian Infrastructure Minister David Khudatyan confirmed that the $120 million project is 80% complete and will triple electricity exchange capacity from 350 to 1,200 megawatts.

This development will also enhance the gas-for-electricity swap deal between the two nations, supporting Iran’s strategy to maintain regional relevance and stability.

Geopolitical Stakes Remain High

Iran’s resistance to the Zangezur Corridor underscores Tehran’s deep concerns over Turkish-Azerbaijani cooperation, particularly its implications for Iran’s Azerbaijani population and Caucasus influence. Velayati emphasized that Iran’s continued regional presence is vital to preventing external interference and protecting existing borders.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan and Turkey continue to frame the corridor as a strategic boost for regional trade, logistics, and energy. The outcome of the corridor dispute now hinges on diplomatic negotiations and the strategic calculus of global powers engaged in the South Caucasus.