Advice to Russians: The Imaginary Corridor Will Not Be Created

After Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Baku, repeated statements by high-ranking Russian officials regarding communication routes in the South Caucasus have led to a demand for a clear emphasis on certain principles from Iranian officials. This was reported by the Iranian Tasnim agency in an article titled "Advice to Russians Regarding Zangezur: The Imaginary Corridor Will Not Be Created."

The source recalls that recently, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow is in favor of the swift conclusion of a peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan and the elimination of blockades on communications. He also mentioned that the leadership of Armenia is obstructing the unblocking of communications through the Syunik region.

Tasnim notes that the Russian Foreign Minister’s stance has prompted various interpretations and speculations in the media regarding Moscow's desire to open the "Zangezur Corridor."

Senior Iranian officials have repeatedly stated in various meetings with officials from Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkey their explicit opposition to this corridor, which would bring geopolitical changes in the borders and the region, writes the source.

The sensitivity regarding Russia's stance has intensified following recent statements from the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova. In her remarks, she stated that the Zangezur route could connect Azerbaijan's main territory to Nakhchivan through the Syunik region, and that the issue of unblocking the route will definitely be discussed within the framework of trilateral peace negotiations with Armenia. In response to a question regarding Iran's position, Zakharova told reporters: "We have seen the Iranian side's concerns regarding the 'Zangezur Corridor', so clarifications should be sought from Tehran. However, Moscow's position on this issue is quite clear. We act based on the understanding that the solution must be acceptable to Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the neighboring countries of the region."

Following the latest discussions, Iran has undertaken diplomatic measures to convey the necessary message to the Russian side, and the assistant to the foreign minister and director of the Eurasia department Mojtaba Demirchilu summoned the Russian ambassador (Alexey Dedov) to the ministry in Tehran, reports Tasnim.

The article also states that according to informed sources, Iran's ambassador to Russia has also declared Tehran's protest against the positions of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"The Russian authorities should be reminded of several points. Firstly, the Russian Foreign Ministry made statements that contradict Iran's expectations. The Russians have been well-informed through our country's high-ranking officials and on many occasions about Iran's clear and correct position that the Islamic Republic of Iran is against any type of corridor, whether it be Zangezur or another that connects Nakhchivan with Azerbaijan. Therefore, this position is surprising and astonishing. Iran does not accept any changes to its borders from a security perspective. There is no rule according to which the security and geopolitical position of any of the South Caucasian countries is superior to others. So why do our Russian friends think they should use the 'Zangezur Corridor' to resolve their issues with Armenia? It seems that the Russian Foreign Ministry is mistaken and believes it is beneficial to resolve its issues with Armenia by utilizing the imaginary 'Zangezur Corridor', which, of course, will not be created due to Iran's opposition. The opening of the 'Zangezur Corridor' means closing one of Iran's gateways to Europe and reducing the number of neighbors of the Islamic Republic of Iran from 15 to 14.

Considering the concept of 'strategic relations' that Iran and Russia aspire to, such tactical steps contradict the principles of strategic relations... If any country believes it can resolve its issues outside its borders at the expense of others by opening new fronts of conflict, then no place in the world will be secure, and the world will be in a state of permanent chaos," the article mentions.