The Zangezur Corridor: An Illusion of a Peace and Trade Route, Says Iranian Media

Since the end of the 44-day war, both Armenia and Azerbaijan have adopted a similar political path aimed at reducing Russian influence in the region. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has taken a provocative stance towards Moscow and has effectively entered into a diplomatic conflict. On the other hand, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has initiated a long-term plan to gradually remove Russia from the country's political and economic systems. This is reported by qudsonline.ir in an article titled 'Zangezur and the Silent Coalition Against Moscow.'

‘From withdrawing from the CSTO to demanding EU intervention, Armenia is clearly turning towards the West. In this context, even the Armenian Apostolic Church has become a target of Pashinyan's criticism, while economic entities led by pro-Russian investors, including the Karapetyan group, have lost influence. In such circumstances, the rejection of the railway under Russian control in Syunik and the focus on the Zangezur Corridor is a geopolitically significant step,’ the source states.

The U.S. as a Shadow Player
‘Following the war in Ukraine, the weakening of Moscow's focus on the Caucasus has led the U.S. to actively negotiate with regional players to manage transport projects. Reports indicate that Washington has even proposed a 100-year lease for the Zangezur Corridor. Despite Russia continuing to reference the November 9, 2020 agreement, it effectively no longer has the leverage to enforce it. Russian peacekeepers have withdrawn, and Moscow is more focused on the Ukrainian fronts than on the South Caucasus,’ the article notes.

Zangezur: An Economic Salvation or Political Illusion?
The Zangezur Corridor is often portrayed as a crucial link in the 'Middle Corridor,' a route that is meant to connect China to Europe via Central Asia and Turkey. However, analysts caution that this project faces serious geopolitical challenges. The corridor is to traverse the Caspian Sea, a maritime area whose usage rights depend on a joint agreement between the coastal countries, including Iran and Russia, which are currently out of the Zangezur Corridor project.

Thus, Zangezur is not merely an economic project but a tool for the gradual expulsion of Russia from the South Caucasus and circumvention of Iran's strategic role. As long as Baku continues its confrontational policies and Yerevan remains on a pro-Western path, it is more likely to remain a 'phantasmagoric corridor' than a route for peace and trade,’ concludes the source.