Russia Denies Rift With Iran Over Azerbaijan’s Corridor Demands on Armenian Territory

Russia has dismissed claims of a disagreement with Iran over a controversial transport link between Armenia and Azerbaijan, emphasizing that their positions are fundamentally aligned.

Moscow's Position on the Zangezur Corridor

On Friday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova reaffirmed that Moscow and Tehran share a similar approach regarding transportation routes in the South Caucasus. She was responding to recent statements by Iran’s ambassador to Armenia, Mehdi Sobhani, who asserted that "only Iran supports Armenia" in opposing a land corridor sought by Azerbaijan through Armenian territory.

Zakharova rejected any notion of division, emphasizing that the two nations are in sync on the broader issue. “Russia’s and Iran’s approaches to unblocking transport links in the region are similar in principle,” she stated.

Strategic Agreement Between Russia and Iran

Zakharova pointed to a new agreement between the two nations as proof of their shared stance. "This is confirmed in the agreement on comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and Iran signed in Moscow on January 17, 2025," she noted.

Under this agreement, Russia and Iran commit to maintaining stability in the South Caucasus while opposing foreign interference. The document highlights cooperation to prevent "destabilizing presence" in the region. However, Zakharova acknowledged one key difference: Russia is directly involved in a trilateral working group with Armenia and Azerbaijan to resolve transport and economic issues in the region. This group, co-chaired by Russia’s deputy prime minister alongside his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts, has been negotiating the reopening of key transport links.

Blaming Armenia

Zakharova suggested that Armenia bears responsibility for the stalled implementation of transport agreements. She cited past discussions in 2023 that outlined the basic parameters of transit routes but remained unfulfilled.

This position echoes earlier statements by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who in August 2024 accused Yerevan of "sabotaging" the Russian-brokered 2020 ceasefire agreement that ended the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War. That agreement included a clause mandating Armenia to facilitate transport between mainland Azerbaijan and its occupied Nakhijevan exclave.

Iran’s Concerns and Diplomatic Fallout

Despite Russia’s assurances, Iran remains deeply concerned about Azerbaijan’s insistence on the so-called "Zangezur corridor." Tehran fears that such a route would sever its direct land connection with Armenia, potentially altering regional dynamics to Iran’s disadvantage. Ambassador Sobhani reiterated that this scenario would be harmful to both Iran and Armenia.

Following Lavrov’s accusations against Yerevan, the Iranian Foreign Ministry took swift diplomatic action, summoning the Russian ambassador in Tehran. Iranian officials warned Moscow against supporting any "geopolitical changes" that might threaten stability in the region.

Moscow, however, has publicly reassured Iran that it does not intend to compromise Armenia’s territorial integrity.

Azerbaijan’s Pressure and Armenia’s Response

The core of the dispute lies in differing interpretations of the 2020 ceasefire agreement. The Armenian government insists that the agreement only requires the establishment of conventional transport links, meaning roads and railways would function under Armenian border controls. However, Azerbaijan maintains that it must have unrestricted access to the route within sovereign Armenian territories, demanding that cargo and passengers traveling between Nakhijevan and mainland Azerbaijan be exempt from Armenian customs checks.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly threatened to take matters into his own hands. As recently as January 2025, he warned that Baku might enforce the "Zangezur corridor" unilaterally if Armenia refuses to comply with Azerbaijan’s demands.

Conclusion

The transport dispute remains a flashpoint in the broader geopolitical struggle involving Russia, Iran, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. While Russia and Iran publicly affirm their shared interests in regional stability, Iran’s strong opposition to the proposed corridor has led to diplomatic friction.

With Azerbaijan continuing to push for an exclusive transport link and Armenia resisting pressure, the situation remains tense. Whether diplomatic negotiations can prevent further escalation or if Azerbaijan will attempt another attack followed by occupation.