Iran rebukes Russia over its policy shift on Zangezur corridor

Iran on Monday criticized Russia for supporting Azerbaijan's demand to get unimpeded access to its Nakhchivan enclave by opening the Zangezur transport corridor through Armenia, which would effectively cut off Iran's direct access to Armenia.

Baku has been demanding the corridor in southern Armenia to connect Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan enclave separated by Armenian territory. Moscow and Baku want Russia to monitor and control the corridor, but Yerevan and Tehran are opposed to such a scheme and argue that even if a transport route were to be established, Armenia should have control over it.

In a Monday "meeting" with Russia's ambassador to Tehran, the director-general of the Iranian Foreign Ministry's Eurasia Department expressed Iran's opposition to "any geopolitical changes in the Caucasus".

The Iranian official told Russia's envoy that "respecting national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and mutual interests of countries is the guarantor of lasting peace and a foundation for regional cooperation in the Caucasus," according to the Foreign Ministry's readout of the talks.

"In this meeting, opposition to changes in recognized international borders and geopolitical alterations in the region, as well as the necessity to consider the legitimate interests and concerns of all regional countries, was emphasized," the statement said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently angered Iran by expressing his support for the establishment of the controversial Zangezur corridor during Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to Baku.

Iran has always opposed the establishment of the transport corridor which will eliminate Iran's direct access to Armenia, if the corridor is not controlled by Yerevan.

In a meeting with Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan on July 30, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei reiterated Iran's opposition to Zangezur corridor which he said the Islamic Republic considers it “detrimental” to Armenia’s interests.

Last month, Iran congratulated the “government and people of Ukraine” on their Independence Day, in a move that was interpreted by some as a response to Russia’s recent shift of policy about the corridor.

In December 2023, Moscow also sparked outrage in Iran by repeating its support for negotiations between Iran and the UAE over the three disputed Islands of Abu Musa, the Greater Tunb, and the Lesser Tunb in the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran summoned the Russian envoy after Moscow signed a joint statement with Arab nations calling for negotiations.

Russia’s long delay in signing a 20-year comprehensive cooperation agreement with Iran despite the aid Iran has offered to Russia in its war against Ukraine has also irritated the Islamic Republic.