Border Corridor Under Fire Once More from Iran's Criticism
Iranian President Massoud Peseschkian has expressed concerns about potential hegemonic goals of the United States in the Caucasus, following the agreement in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan that includes allowing Azerbaijan to create a corridor through Armenian territory.
The corridor, strategically important and resource-rich, would cut off Iran's access to Armenia, potentially posing geopolitical, security, and economic implications. Iran fears that the corridor, backed by the United States, would effectively seal its northern flank with infrastructure aligned to US interests, deepening the containment of Iran by a coalition of states cooperating against Tehran’s regional influence.
Iran’s main concerns revolve around the loss of strategic border connectivity, geopolitical isolation and security threats, violation of sovereignty and regional stability, potential military and security concerns, and the domestic and regional impact on Iran. The corridor represents a symbolic and strategic setback for the Iranian regime, which is already facing pressure on other fronts.
Tehran insists that transit routes must respect mutual interests, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity without foreign interference. It warns that the corridor may undermine regional stability and lead to geopolitical changes unfavorable to Iran. Iranian officials see the corridor as part of a US strategy to expand its hegemonic influence in the Caucasus and possibly bring hostile foreign forces near Iranian borders.
In response, Iran has vocalized its opposition, engaged in diplomatic talks with Armenia to express concerns, and issued warnings against the “betrayal” of regional interests. However, there is some internal division within Tehran about how aggressively to confront the issue.
Armenia's deputy foreign minister is expected to visit Tehran on Tuesday for further talks. The US, which has economic development rights for the border corridor, could potentially pursue economic investments and peace guarantees as a means to achieve hegemonic goals in the Caucasus, according to Iranian President Massoud Peseschkian.
It is worth noting that the peace declaration was signed on Friday, and the corridor, if implemented, would connect Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhichevan. The military operation resulted in the displacement of more than 100,000 people to Armenia.
Tehran welcomes any agreement that strengthens peace, but urges Armenia to prevent foreign military or security force interference. Iran has long opposed the connection of Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhichevan through Armenian territory. The warning was made in a phone call, as announced by Tehran on Monday.
This conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region has been ongoing for decades. The peace declaration signed by Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the White House includes allowing Azerbaijan to create a corridor through Armenian territory, which has sparked concerns in Iran.
References:
- BBC News
- Reuters
- Al Jazeera
- The New York Times
- The Guardian
- Iran's President Massoud Peseschkian has voiced concerns about the potential implications of the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, particularly the employment policy of US involvement in the Caucasus, as it pertains to policy-and-legislation and politics, given the strategic importance and resources of the planned corridor.
- The corridor, representing a symbolic and strategic setback for Iran, has sparked worries about war-and-conflicts, geopolitical, security, and economic implications, as well as violations of sovereignty and regional stability, domestically and regionally, due to its potential alignment with US interests and influence in the Caucasus.
