Zangazur Corridor Named After Trump — Why Iran Objects, While the Russian Foreign Ministry Remains Silent

The future of the South Caucasus is more alarming to Tehran than Moscow for some reason

Photo: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, U.S. President Donald Trump and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (left to right) at the signing ceremony of the declaration on peaceful resolution of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

On August 8, U.S. President Donald Trump, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint declaration in Washington on the peaceful resolution of the conflict between Yerevan and Baku, which includes the opening of the Zangazur Corridor.

The agreement stipulates that Baku and Yerevan will work to approve the peace agreement, dissolve the OSCE Minsk Group, open the transport routes between the Nakhchivan exclave and mainland Azerbaijan, as well as through Armenia, and provide some additional benefits to Armenia. Finally, the document officially names the Zangazur Corridor "The Trump Route" and requires the Armenian authorities to cooperate with Washington to implement the project.

This agreement has caused dissatisfaction in Tehran, and Iran stated it would prevent this transportation route from falling into the control of the United States and NATO. The advisor to the Supreme Leader, Ali Akbar Velayati, said that Iran would block "The Trump Route."

Velayati told Tasnim News Agency: "The implementation of this corridor plan threatens the security of the South Caucasus. Iran insists that it will take action according to the security requirements of the South Caucasus, whether or not Russia is involved. We believe that Russia also opposes this corridor strategically."

The senior advisor to the Supreme Leader called the "Trump Route" project a political conspiracy, saying "NATO wants to coil around Iran and Russia like a snake, but Iran will not allow this to happen." He also promised that this corridor would not become "a transit passage under Trump's name," but rather "the grave of its mercenaries."

At the same time, the Iranian Foreign Ministry expressed a more restrained position. This Islamic Republic's foreign ministry welcomed the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, but expressed "concerns" about the "negative effects of any foreign intervention," stating that such intervention could "damage the security and stability of the region."

Orientalist and political scientist Stanislav Tarasov believes that Tehran is first concerned about Americans formally appearing in the region.

"And it is military men, because they will control this corridor and the transportation lines to Turkey, which is a NATO member. On one hand, they have promised some benefits to all sides, but on the other hand, they have cut off Iran's connection with Armenia, and even extend to Georgia and the Black Sea, which actually becomes a route to Europe."

Do you remember, five years ago, Ilham Aliyev mentioned an Arab corridor, planned to reach Iran through Armenian territory. But at that time, this idea did not receive support.

Free News: What changes will occur in the region after the signing of the agreement?

"This document marks the arrival of American military presence, so political and economic impacts will follow, forming an overall picture. This situation fundamentally changes the geopolitical landscape of the South Caucasus. The actions of external and internal participants, including our rivals, will undergo drastic changes according to the international situation."

The region will begin a fierce struggle, and I personally doubt the stance expressed by the Russian Foreign Ministry in its statement. This agreement is literally pushing Russia out of the South Caucasus.

The existence of the Western group, which is hostile to Russia, in the region is constantly increasing, new threats may arise, including intensified anti-Russian sentiment, support for separatism in northern Iran, etc."

Boris Dolgov, Chief Researcher at the Center for Arabic and Islamic Studies of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, believes: "Tehran is first worried that the agreement signed by Armenia and Azerbaijan changed the political landscape of the South Caucasus, providing an excuse for the active penetration of the United States (as the leader of NATO) and Israel (one of Washington's closest allies)."

"This document provides an opportunity to change the balance of power in the region. Although Trump portrays himself as a peacemaker, it is obvious that with the arrival of Americans and Israelis, the number and scale of threats to Iran and Russia will significantly increase. Israel remains the main opponent of the Islamic Republic, and now, with the support of the current U.S. administration, Israel can strengthen its position in the South Caucasus."

Free News: Why didn't the Russian Foreign Ministry express any concerns in its statement?

"It's hard to say. However, political scientists and various experts have long pointed out that Russia is being pushed out of the South Caucasus. They have seen these worrying trends and warned about the adverse developments. However, Russia's official position on this issue is quite vague."

"For some reason, we think that the U.S. control over the Zangazur Corridor is less threatening than the Turkish control. Despite the fact that obviously the South Caucasus will bring much more instability to Russia."

Free News: Why does the Supreme Leader's advisor in Tehran promise not to let the U.S. control this transportation corridor? How can Iran stop it?

"Time will tell. Some diplomatic actions may be taken against Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the U.S. It is known that Tehran is currently negotiating with the Americans on the nuclear program - some measures may also be taken in this regard. Iran is certainly studying its subsequent actions now."

Free News: Is Tehran worried that the "Trump Route" might be used for military intervention?

"Not only that. Despite the recent armed conflict with Israel, Iran accused Baku of allowing drones to be launched from Azerbaijani territory. Considering the close relationship between Azerbaijan and Israel - a relationship that is undoubtedly going to be strengthened, these accusations may be justified.

The number of Azeris in northern Iran is almost twice that of the Azeris in mainland Azerbaijan, and it is not ruled out that separatists there will become active, since Israel and the U.S. have repeatedly stated that they at least want to weaken this Islamic Republic, and ideally to overthrow its regime. In this regard, separatist movements may also be exploited, and there are many historical examples of this."

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7536966569398714943/

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