Iran and the Caucasian Chess Match

Author: Alireza Mamdouhi 

Iran views the proposed Zangezur Corridor as a strategic threat, fearing it will expand Israeli and Turkish influence in the South Caucasus and undermine its regional position. In response, Iran advocates for the Aras Corridor—an alternative route through its territory—to maintain control over regional trade, limit foreign presence, and protect its geopolitical interests. 

Introduction

The Zangezur Corridor, a proposed transit route which would connect the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhichevan to mainland Azerbaijan, has become a focal point of concern for Iran. This proposed transit route is perceived by Iranian media outlets as a potential conduit for increased Israeli and Turkish influence in the region; this poses a direct challenge to Iran’s national security and strategic interests in maintaining geopolitical control over the trade routes in the South Caucasus. 

Iranian Views on Regional and International Actors 

Iranian Concerns about Israeli-Azerbaijan Cooperation 

Iranian outlets perceive the establishment of the Zangezur Corridor as a potential avenue for increased Israeli military presence near its borders. Iran fears that the Corridor could facilitate the transfer of Israeli military equipment and personnel, thereby providing Israel with a direct land connection to Iran’s borders. Iranian media is also fearful that this Corridor could promote intelligence sharing between Israel and Azerbaijan. These developments are viewed as direct challenges to Iran’s national security and regional influence. Furthermore, Iranian analysts suggest that the Corridor could serve as a strategic route for transporting Central Asian gas to Israel via Azerbaijan and Türkiye, thereby enhancing Israel’s energy security and economic stability.  

Türkiye as a Threat to Iranian Influence in the South Caucuses 

Iran’s concerns are not limited to Israeli destabilization in the region. Iran views Türkiye’s push for the Zangezur Corridor as a strategic effort to establish a new economic avenue that strengthens Ankara’s influence in the South Caucasus and beyond. Iran also sees Türkiye’s support for the project as a political effort to deepen integration of the Turkic world, thereby challenging Iran’s influence. Additionally, Türkiye’s growing geopolitical influence fuels concerns within Iran about its internal cohesion, given the possibility for this Corridor to increase pan-Turkic sentiment amongst the Turkic minority population living in northwestern Iran. 

Iran’s Alternative: The Aras Corridor 

Iran has initiated alternative transit strategies to mitigate the potential impact of the Zangezur Corridor. This includes cooperating with Azerbaijan to propose the Aras Corridor, which would connect Nakhichevan to mainland Azerbaijan through Iran instead of Armenia. 

By proposing the Aras Corridor, Iran seeks to preserve its strategic leverage over Azerbaijan and Türkiye. Developing trading routes that run through Iranian territory allows Tehran to regulate the flow of goods and energy, reinforcing its geopolitical influence while simultaneously securing economic benefits. It also prevents any alteration to international borders, which is a key concern for Iran given its Turkic minority. Additionally, maintaining control over this route would allow Iran to limit Israel’s access to energy resources in Central Asia. 

Conclusion  

Overall, Iranian officials have voiced concerns about the Zangezur Corridor and how this new trade route would increase the geopolitical strength of Israel and Türkiye in the South Caucuses.  This expanding presence is perceived as a destabilizing factor that threatens Iran’s security, with fears of the potential for these states to exploit regional disagreements to forge closer ties and gain geopolitical leverage at Iran’s expense.  Iran has consistently advocated for alternative solutions, such as the proposed Aras Corridor, that exclude external interference and maintain Iran’s geopolitical influence in the region.