Iran Expresses Opposition to US-Backed Armenia-Azerbaijan Transit Corridor

Iran has expressed serious concerns over the US-brokered Zangezur corridor agreement signed by Armenia, Azerbaijan, and President Donald Trump, which grants the US a 99-year lease to develop and control a transit route through southern Armenia connecting Azerbaijan to its exclave Nakhchivan. Iranian officials, including senior adviser Ali Akbar Velayati, argue that the corridor threatens regional stability, undermines Iran’s security interests, and is part of a US-Israeli geopolitical strategy to isolate Iran and Russia while increasing NATO influence in the Caucasus. Despite welcoming the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Iran vehemently opposes the corridor's US control, fearing it could sever Iran’s connection with Armenia and destabilize the region. Tehran has announced upcoming high-level consultations with Armenia and Azerbaijan to discuss the corridor and has signaled readiness to prevent any geopolitical changes it sees as threatening. Armenia has assured Iran that the corridor will respect its territorial integrity and open new regional opportunities. However, Iran remains wary of any foreign military or commercial presence near its borders and views the corridor as a potential tool for US strategic dominance in the region.