Iran warns over “Zangezur corridor” revival attempts

Ali Akbar Velayati, advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader, has warned that anyone attempting to revive the so-called “Zangezur Corridor” will face a firm response from Iran. He made this statement via X.

Velayati claimed that several governments are trying to gain access to the South Caucasus by any means, pursuing what he described as “illegitimate goals.”

“Some governments, disregarding their own and the region’s interests, seek to penetrate the South Caucasus by all available means, pursuing their unlawful objectives. Let me remind them: any government—regional or external—that attempts to repeat this failed initiative will encounter a harsh Iranian response,” Velayati wrote.

Earlier, on June 10, Velayati stated that Iran had thwarted the attempt to establish the “Zangezur Corridor,” which he claimed was aimed at isolating Iran from the north and Russia from the south.

At an international media forum, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev reiterated the “Zangezur Corridor” rhetoric, stating that “Azerbaijani cargo and citizens should not encounter Armenian border guards or anyone else.” He emphasized that the corridor should be an unobstructed and secure connection between Azerbaijani territories. According to Aliyev, the issue was also raised during a meeting with Armenia’s Prime Minister in Abu Dhabi. He added that “there will be no operator, lease, or rent” involved in their territory.

Responding to Aliyev’s remarks, Armenian Prime Minister’s spokesperson Nazeli Baghdasaryan stressed that Armenia has never discussed, is not discussing, and will not discuss the “terminology used by the President of Azerbaijan or the logic it implies.” She also rejected Aliyev’s claim that Azerbaijanis should not encounter Armenian border guards, calling it inconsistent with the actual discussions.