Mehr News Agency, International Desk, Elnaz Rahmatnejad: The Zangzor corridor entered a new phase following the meeting between Nikol Pashinyan and Ilham Aliyev at the White House, mediated by Donald Trump. Both sides signed a “peace declaration” along with trade-security agreements. The connection of Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan via this corridor, dubbed ”Trump’s Road to Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP), was placed on the agenda.
Iran emphasizes that any violation of its border with Armenia or geopolitical changes in the South Caucasus are red lines. It has warned about potential transit and security consequences arising from this plan. Meanwhile, no peace treaty has been finalized yet. Two key issues remain unresolved-the removal of ”Karabakh” from Armenia’s constitution and governance/security mechanisms for the corridor.
In this context, we spoke with Dariush Safarnezhad, university professor and Eurasia expert; below is an extended excerpt of that interview.
What is the official position of the islamic Republic regarding what is now called “Trump’s Road” or the Zangzor Corridor?
The Supreme Leader stated in autumn 2020 during the Second Karabakh War: “Under no circumstances will we accept any border changes in our northern region. Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan’s territory.” Just as he rejected border changes concerning Azerbaijan, he holds similar views regarding Armenia. In his bilateral meeting with Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip erdoğan in July 2022, he emphasized: “Our borders with Armenia are historic borders, and we absolutely do not tolerate border shifts or foreign presence there; regional issues must be resolved through regional players themselves.” In reality,His eminence stands as today’s foremost strategic politician whose directives carry full authority for government officials to follow. Dr. Velayati, international advisor to the Supreme Leader, also provided extensive detailed commentary on this matter worth considering.
Will there be foreign interference? Will decisions respect Iran’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity?
The Zangzor corridor project is a 34-year-old American-Zionist plan dating back to shortly after the Soviet Union collapsed when Armenia and Azerbaijan became independent states amid growing Karabakh tensions. A U.S senator named Paul Goble proposed connecting territories through border adjustments across South Caucasus-this seven-level scheme became known as Goble 1-7. Since then until today neither America nor its allies succeeded due to resistance by Iran and Russia.
The Americans and Zionists disregard Iran’s sovereignty or territorial integrity entirely-they seek footholds abroad without regard for us; hence persistent resistance remains essential so that no external intervention occurs. Furthermore Azerbaijani and armenian neighbors must respect our right as a neighbor nation.
What red lines should be communicated clearly to Azerbaijani and Armenian sides?
The Zangzor corridor represents an American-NATO-Israeli-Takfiri venture – these actors constitute our red lines.
After over three decades since Soviet collapse NATO powers led by America & Britain have pursued eastward expansion strategies near Iran-which naturally threatens Russia among others.
The extension of Zionist regimes into this region poses another grave threat.
America & Britain aim within their Greater Middle East Plan to fragment 56 Muslim-majority states into numerous small entities based on ethnicity/nationalism-seeking enduring security for their illegitimate Zionist regime.
Such red lines must be openly conveyed just as during these past 34 years.
Foreign actors behind this project seek more than roads-they want permanent footholds enabling subsequent steps affecting regions including China, India, Central Asia countries such as Afghanistan & Pakistan broadly threatening South Asia geopolitics alongside Iran itself.
This route will reportedly operate under an American company lease for 99 years-what could be potential impacts on Iran?
A consortium comprising European Jewish-American-Azerbaijani-Armenian-Turkish companies will manage it; even Trump-owned private firms figure prominently behind NATO-led leadership operating mainly under U.S guidance.
Pashinyan reportedly agreed de facto leasing rights over approximately 43 km lengthwise spanning widths between five to fifteen kilometers-from ground level up through airspace-for ninety-nine years.
Their objective involves creating a distinct autonomous enclave here intended eventually for logistics aiding separatist agendas within Iran itself.
In August 2022 they announced plans establishing “Zangzor Turkic Republic,” coinciding amid domestic protests themed around women-life-freedom movements
(the so-called Mahsa Amini unrest). This included unveiling flags merging symbols from Turkey & Azerbaijan linked by lion-sun motifs alongside governmental structures involving Turkish-Azerbaijani-Iranian dissidents promoting separatism,
with claims indicating assembly parliaments hosting about seventy-five members all supporting such causes hosted abroad including ankara ceremonies commemorating related figures).
This project threatens Iranian control over borders shared with Armenia,Germany,Russia,and access points toward Black Sea environs losing influence rapidly if implemented fully-actually,
when recognizing independence thirty-four years ago both Armenia/Azerbaijan maintained contiguous borders respectively accepted by Tehran.If those vanish we may need updated recognition policies accordingly-to recall also during Israel’s brief twelve-day war targeting Iranian cities their advanced jets based activities partly exploited air lanes currently named Zanzgor Corridor impacting northwestern provinces like Tehran/Karaj directly via attack drones/F-16/F-35 fighter support operations used therein historically documented previously unknown publicly at length yet crucial strategically concerning ground dynamics now slated possibly transformed geopolitically uncontested thereby heightening threats further still.”
What could be possible Iranian strategies going forward?
< p >Iran ‘s response strategy should center around drafting an adequate “National Smart Strategic Document”, tailored specifically addressing disciplinary measures against developments surrounding Zangzor corridors .< nbsp/>A delegated team representing tehran ought actively engage diplomatically not only including neighbours such as Baku , Moscow , Yerevan but extending outreach towards China , India , also across Central Asian republics extending awareness campaigns combatting external collusion prompting destabilization attempts beyond immediate regional boundaries enhancing defensive diplomacy visibility together involving civil society stakeholders avoiding unilateral decision-making shortcomings .
< p >< strong > What economic / commercial effects can surface relative participation ?
< p >Opposing parties primarily emphasize superficial economic layers masking genuine geopolitical power plays woven beneath facade complexities inherent herein . Currently land communication linking Azerbaijan proper directly connecting Nakhchivan where customary transit rights granted free runoff since decades crossing Bilesavar-Jolfa checkpoints upheld respecting sovereign Georgian-kurd routes uninterrupted flows post reliable highways built-for instance Aras Corridor since four years ago fulfilling Azeri requests improving internal infrastructure facilitating transport logistics derived mostly through Iranian terrain penetration notwithstanding other alternatives-sea-gateway Georgian-Turkish pathways open-access routes exist ;however zoning openness reveals intent brownfields incur geo-strategic bottlenecks prolonged adverse impact constraints putting indirect pressure suffocating Iranian stakes .
< p >Statistically annually some forty-seven thousand trucks traverse between Iranian lands towards said zones ; assuming two professions each cohort can roughly approach hundred-thousand impacted residents trading liberties compromised potentially jeopardizing union-level commerce standing weakened significantly once cross-border corridors transfer operator assignment hands commercially following exclusive licensing regimented highly centralized management aligned overseas business interests disregarding local participation norms causing rollback return diminishing market clout irreversibly unless countermeasures restored promptly invigoration ensured reflecting preservation best interests hybrid multipolar configurations emerging presently worldwide order transitions shaping frontiers forevermore deliberately contemplated proactively structured intelligently]
< P >< Strong >Armenia currently conducting ten-day joint military drills alongside US forces – what purposes underpin them?
Indeed , Yerevan hosts ongoing extensive maneuvers jointly orchestrated evidencing intent aiming disabling Russian military bases stationed nearby while extricating itself gradually from Collective Security Treaty Organization bindings progressively easing into NATO accession pathways concurrently pursuing closer EU integration prospects – evident present negotiations show sidelining Russian influence conspicuously particularly during last year ‘s four high-profile meetings notably Tirana (Albania), Istanbul (Turkey ), Abu Dhabi (UAE) plus Washington D.C scenes uncovering new tectonic shifts redefining alliance orientations decisively favoring western arrays prepared complete peace accords linked mutually screening constitutional amendments eliminating Karabakh implications face equivalently synchronized inclusion complementary positions toward mutual membership formalized NATO entry facilitation emblazoning newly configured coalition protection oversight entrusted strictly under NATO purview thereby challenging existing balances provoking entrenched opposition seeking direct collaboration robustly resisting changing status quo representing major concerns specifically recorded repeatedly articulated firmly labeling complete acceptance unconditionally unacceptable red lines pertinent simultaneously cited expressions voiced corresponding Beijing / Moscow capitals beside multiple states across central Asian landscape emphasizing long-term coalitional stability commitments paramountistically guarded preventing invalid unilateral suspension conditions elementally preserving basic principles governing respective spheres responsibly managed prudently accordingly understood thoroughly贯 حساسات ايرانية سيادية
Why does Turkey play such a prominent role here?
Following dissolution USSR warsaw Pact opposing Nato stopped functioning resulting stagnant eastern bloc militarized unity formation failure beforecould have stemmed new entity development ans phase appeared falsified leading finable catalyzed Nato partnered implementation manifested via creation Peace Partnership initiative serving دمب incapable emerging nations swiftlynewly independent successors emerged mostly former Eastern europe territory envelopes absorbed nausea intégrer natothis concept authorities expedited transitional standards conditions conformity resulting final acceptance Nato core member ship induction Russia similarly positioned integrated even though retaining suspicious views cautiously balanced accordingly bearing comprehensive southeast command substructure established Turkey headquarters sustained.loyal accounting thus proliferated bharat alliace tries participatory avenues perfectly justified frequented quite extensively finally consolidates fundamentals today explaining Turkey influential controlling role identifiable unambiguously.Development close mutual ties silent understanding growing strategic ambitions correlated expansions reinforced militarily relevant nexus compatibility location proximity pivotalforcing convergence shaped real politica indelible engagement indeed ظر מחדש ثابت ني ياقه خلقریم یعنیەت قراقدرسته فایلنی ـک”},{“payload”:”society dimensionally underscored multifaceted legacy eliciting concerted attention guided surveyed methodologically specific approaches enableduseppe focus oriented taking advantage everavailable intel”,}
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