Türkiye’s Strategic Vision for Regional Connectivity

Turkish media views the proposed Zangezur Corridor as a strategic opportunity to deepen ties with Azerbaijan, boost trade with Central Asia, and enhance Türkiye’s regional influence. In this narrative, the Corridor is seen as a means to bypass Iran, reduce transport costs, and advance Ankara’s broader geopolitical ambitions, while Iranian and Armenian opposition is portrayed as obstructionist and driven by narrow self-interest. 

Introduction 

The Zangezur Corridor – a proposed transit route connecting the Azerbaijani enclave of Nakhchivan to the rest of the Azerbaijan through Armenia – is widely supported by media in neighbouring Türkiye as a transformative project that will strengthen Ankara’s influence in the South Caucasus while enhancing its trade with Central Asia. Both state-run and independent media outlets emphasize the Corridor’s role in deepening Türkiye-Azerbaijan ties, countering Iranian and Armenian opposition, and solidifying Ankara’s role as a key regional player. 

Geopolitical and Economic Benefits of the Corridor for Türkiye 

Economic benefits feature prominently in Turkish coverage of the Corridor. Reports from Hurriyet and Milliyet underline that the new transit route would allow Türkiye to strengthen trade with Central Asia, bypassing Iran and reducing transportation costs. Given the ongoing geopolitical tensions between Türkiye and Iran, Turkish analysts argue that decreasing dependency on Iranian trade routes strengthens Türkiye’s position as a stable regional trading hub between Europe, the Caucuses, and Central Asia. Such reports view this as a strategic economic gain that aligns with Ankara’s vision of regional integration and its potential connection to larger economic projects like China’s Belt and Road Initiative.  

Turkish Views on Regional and International Actors 

Iranian and Armenian Opposition in Turkish Media 

Iranian and Armenian resistance to the Zangezur Corridor is widely portrayed in Turkish media as an attempt to block regional progress. Outlets such as Sabah and Star Gazetesi argue that Iran fears losing its economic leverage over Armenia, which has historically relied on Iranian transit routes. These reports claim that Iran’s opposition is based on self-interest rather than genuine concerns about regional stability.  

Similarly, Turkish media depicts Armenian opposition as rooted in historical grievances rather than economic pragmatism. Reports from HaberTurk and Aydinlik argue that Armenia’s resistance to the corridor is driven by political pressures from nationalist factions and Western allies which undercut the economic benefits that Armenia would receive from this transit route. 

Russia’s Role and Türkiye’s Balancing Act 

Turkish media also examines Russia’s position on the Zangezur Corridor, often portraying Moscow as a key power broker whose stance could determine the project’s success. Outlets like CNN Türk suggest that Russia remains ambivalent about the Corridor due to its strategic interests in maintaining influence over both Armenia and Azerbaijan. These reports indicate that Türkiye is working to ensure Russia does not actively oppose the project, particularly as Moscow’s focus remains on the war in Ukraine and its shifting priorities in the South Caucasus. 

Conclusion 

Turkish media overwhelmingly supports the Zangezur Corridor, viewing it as a strategic initiative that enhances Türkiye’s geopolitical and economic influence. Reports emphasize the benefits of direct connectivity with Azerbaijan and Central Asia while portraying Iranian and Armenian opposition as obstacles to regional progress. As Türkiye continues to push for the Corridor’s realization, its media frames the project as a natural step toward strengthening the Turkic world and solidifying Ankara’s role as a dominant player in regional geopolitics.