Iran, on September 5, 2024, criticized Russia’s support for the Zangezur Corridor project in the South Caucasus, which aims to provide Azerbaijan with direct access to its Nakhchivan exclave by bypassing Armenia. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that any threats to regional territorial integrity or boundary changes are unacceptable to Iran.

Russia’s endorsement of the corridor, as part of its support for a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, has heightened tensions. Azerbaijan and Armenia are negotiating a peace treaty to resolve their long-standing conflict over the Karabakh enclave, which Azerbaijan recaptured in 2023.

The Zangezur Corridor, a transportation link that would cut off Iran’s direct access to Armenia, remains a contentious issue. Russia and Azerbaijan want Russia to oversee the corridor, while Armenia and Iran argue that Armenia should control it. Iran opposes the corridor, viewing it as a destabilizing geopolitical move.

Iran has reiterated its position in meetings with Russian officials and emphasized its commitment to regional cooperation. It also supports an alternative project proposed by Armenia called the “Peace Corridor,” which would allow Armenia more control and involve substantial infrastructure investments to enhance connectivity between the Caspian Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Persian Gulf.

Turkiye supports the Zangezur Corridor, which President Erdoğan has praised as beneficial for the region. However, Iran views the project as a tactic by Moscow to exert pressure and potentially influence Iran’s relations with the U.S.