View from Tehran: Zangezur corridor a U.S. project targeting Iran, Russia

Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.
Photo: Tasnim News

Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, said the proposed Zangezur Corridor is a geopolitical scheme led by the US and the Israeli regime to undermine Iran’s national security and strategic ties, ‘Tasnim News’ reports.

In remarks at a ceremony in Tehran to commemorate Sheikh Safi al-Din Ardabili, Velayati addressed geopolitical concerns surrounding the Republic of Azerbaijan and the proposed Zangezur Corridor.

“These actors seek to weaken the foundations of Iranian identity as a means to harm the country’s national security,” he stated.

Velayati said plans like the Zangezur Corridor serve as a cover for larger geopolitical projects.

He warned that the primary aim is to weaken the resistance axis, sever Iran’s connection to the Caucasus, and impose a land blockade on both Iran and Russia in the region’s south.

Velayati stressed that Iran's national security remains a red line.

This region has always been at the forefront of defending territorial integrity, independence, and the values of the Islamic Revolution — and this historic role must be preserved, Ali Akbar Velayati said.

Iran’s enemies have been disturbed by this historical unity and strategic cultural depth.

They have consistently attempted to undermine the foundations of this identity to harm our national security.

In this context, plans such as the “Zangezur Corridor” are pursued as covers for broader geopolitical projects.

The main goal is to weaken the Resistance Axis, sever Iran’s link with the Caucasus, and impose a land blockade on Iran and Russia in the region’s south.

This project is not only part of America’s strategy to shift pressure from Ukraine to the Caucasus, but is also supported by NATO and certain pan-Turkist movements.

Yet, Iran has clearly and decisively opposed these actions from the outset, even deploying forces to the borders and conducting deterrent exercises to show that national security is our red line.

The policy of “active prevention” rather than “passive reaction” is the intelligent strategy adopted by the Islamic Republic.

Today, too, the enemy seeks to penetrate Iran’s geopolitical depth under the cover of seemingly economic, but in truth, separatist, projects.

However, the Iranian nation, inspired by the teachings of its great figures — especially Sheikh Safi al-Din Ardabili — stands and will continue to stand against these conspiracies, Ali Akbar Velayati said.

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