Iran Opposes U.S. Plan for Corridor Through Armenia’s Syunik Region

Iran has clearly stated its opposition to the involvement of outside powers in the South Caucasus, reaffirming its support for Armenia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity during ongoing regional tensions. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei addressed these issues during a recent press conference, insisting on Tehran’s consistent position on the situation. 

Baghaei said that Iran supports the signing of a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan without delay. However, he stressed that any development of transport links in the region must contribute to economic growth and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all involved states. He warned against actions that would change the geopolitical balance in the South Caucasus.

The Iranian official said he’s concerned about extra-regional actors interfering in the region’s affairs. The interference of extra-regional players in the South Caucasus conflicts with the interests of the region’s security and development, Baghaei said. He also confirmed that Iran is closely monitoring the developments and remains in contact with both Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Iran has particularly opposed a U.S. proposal involving an American company managing a transport corridor passing through Armenia’s Syunik region to reach Azerbaijan’s Nakhijevan exclave. This plan, pushed by Azerbaijan and supported by external powers, is seen as a threat to Armenia’s sovereignty.

Baghaei reiterated Iran’s firm stance against any changes to Armenia’s borders or the regional geopolitical landscape. He rejected the idea of an extraterritorial land corridor to Nakhijevan, a project supported by Azerbaijan and Turkey. Iran’s opposition is rooted in concerns that such a corridor would weaken regional security and isolate Iran from its neighboring Caucasus region.

An adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has openly criticized the corridor project as part of a broader U.S. strategy to weaken the “Axis of Resistances,” which includes Iran, by imposing a land blockade on them in the south. This adviser described the corridor as a move supported by NATO and pan-Turkist groups and affirmed that Iran would actively prevent its implementation.

In July, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confirmed that the United States proposed that transit through the Syunik corridor be managed by a U.S. company under a long-term lease. After discussions involving Armenian and Iranian leaders, including phone calls between Pashinyan and Iranian officials, Armenia rejected the proposal. Armenian lawmakers are concerned that leasing the transit routes would compromise Armenia’s sovereignty.

Russia also criticized the U.S. proposal, describing it as an attempt by Western powers to sideline Russia and Iran in the region. This criticism was made public as Armenian and Russian officials met in Siberia to discuss regional issues. 

Iran’s clear stance and Armenia’s refusal to accept foreign control over critical transit routes show the importance of respecting national sovereignty in the South Caucasus. As tensions continue, Iran’s opposition to extra-regional interference aligns with Armenia’s efforts to protect its territorial integrity and regional security.

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