Azerbaijan and Turkey are stepping up efforts to secure a land corridor between their countries through Armenia. Until now, Iran, a key ally of Armenia, has backed Yerevan’s opposition to what is known as the Zangezur corridor. With Iran weakened in the region, Ankara and Baku see an opportunity to secure a key strategic goal. Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul.
Iran’s ally Armenia also opposes the corridor as an imposition on its territory. But with Iran weakened by setbacks in Syria and Lebanon, Baku and Ankara see an opportunity to push ahead.
“A weaker Iran is a huge opportunity for Turkey in the Caucasus,” said Atilla Yesilada, a Turkey analyst for GlobalSource Partners.
“The only reason why Armenia resists the establishment of the Zangezur corridor is because of promises by Iran to defend it militarily.”