Iran's Opposition to Zangezur Corridor Reiterated; Araqchi: "Redrawing Borders is Iran's Red Line"

Continuing to express dissatisfaction from officials of the Islamic Republic regarding Russia's support for the opening of the Zangezur corridor, Iran's Foreign Minister indirectly warned this country that "redrawing borders is Iran's red line." Abbas Araqchi wrote on his social media account on Thursday night, September 15: "Any threat to the territorial integrity of our neighbors, or redrawing borders, whether in the north, south, east, or west, is completely unacceptable and is considered a red line for Iran." Iranian media interpreted Araqchi's message in connection with Russia's emphasis on "cooperation with Azerbaijan and Turkey" regarding the opening of the Zangezur corridor. The message from Iran's Foreign Minister was published hours after the Iranian ambassador in Moscow met with Vladimir Putin's political advisor. However, it is unclear whether the publication of this message was a reaction to the discussions held during Kazzem Jalali's meeting with Igor Levitin on Thursday. Araqchi noted in his message that "regional security and stability" could be jeopardized as a result of potential changes in the borders of the South Caucasus alongside Iran. Simultaneously, according to Tehran Times, the issue of "transport corridors" was also raised during the Iranian ambassador's meeting with the Russian president's advisor. This newspaper quoted Kazzem Jalali as saying: "With the formation of the new government in Iran, the implementation of transportation projects that had been halted will accelerate." An Iranian Foreign Ministry official expressed opposition to changes in international borders during the meeting with the Russian ambassador. Leonid Lojchko, head of the Iran-related business council in the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also participated in the meeting with the Iranian ambassador and Putin's advisor. Following recent Russian activities indicating Moscow's support for the opening of the Zangezur corridor, the Islamic Republic of Iran has shown more sensitivity to this issue than in previous years. Last week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow supports Azerbaijan's demand for unhindered access to the Nakhchivan region through the opening of the Zangezur transport corridor. This corridor, located in the southernmost part of Armenian territory, is strategically important for Iran's transit, and moreover, Iran would lose its last means of influence over the competition in the Caucasus region. Iran's transit relations with South Caucasus through the roads of East Azerbaijan province are of utmost importance to Iran. Moscow and Baku seek Russian oversight and control over this corridor, but Yerevan and Tehran oppose it. The significance of the Zangezur corridor and Iran's reasons for opposing it are highlighted. Iran supported Armenia in the wars against Azerbaijan over the Upper Karabakh region, while Turkey and Russia supported Baku. These wars ended with Azerbaijan's victory and the realization of Baku's territorial goals. Israel, which Iran considers its main enemy, was a military supporter of the Azerbaijani army in those costly operations that led to the expulsion of tens of thousands of Armenians. On August 1 of this year, Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, stated during a meeting with Nikol Pashinyan, the Prime Minister of Armenia, who had come to Tehran for the swearing-in ceremony of Iran's president, that Iran opposes the establishment of this corridor and considers it against its interests. Iranian media referred to the proposal presented by Pashinyan last autumn at the Silk Road summit in Tbilisi as the "Crossroads of Peace," stating that it circumvents the Zangezur corridor and undermines Iran's transit routes at its northwestern borders. The Director General of Eurasian Affairs at the Iranian Foreign Ministry reiterated this warning during a meeting with the Russian ambassador in Tehran on Tuesday, stating that this matter would threaten Iran's interests and that Tehran would not accept any geopolitical changes in the Caucasus region. The establishment of the Zangezur corridor is the ninth clause of the agreement reached in the ceasefire four years ago between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which was mediated by Russia. The spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry stated this week that they will "clarify" this issue for Iran to accept it. However, media close to the government in Tehran have expressed unprecedented criticisms of Russia this week regarding its support for the opening of this corridor. These criticisms come at a time when Tehran considers Moscow its "strategic" partner, and during Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it has been accused of supplying weapons to Russia in the form of attack drones for use in Ukraine and providing training assistance from the Revolutionary Guards for the use of these drones. The Tasnim news agency, close to the Revolutionary Guards, wrote this week in a "recommendation to the Russians" that the "imaginary Zangezur corridor" will not be established. Mohsen Rezaei, a member of the Expediency Discernment Council and former commander of the Revolutionary Guards, stated this week that the behavior of Russian officials regarding the Zangezur corridor and Iran's three islands is unacceptable.