IRIA News

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Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reassured visiting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on August 19, 2025, that the planned corridor linking Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave would remain under Armenian control.

Speaking in Yerevan, Pashinyan emphasized that the route would not be managed by any external power, but solely by Armenia. “Roads passing through Armenia will be under the exclusive jurisdiction of Armenia, and security will be provided by Armenia, not by any third country,” he said.

The corridor, officially named the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP), is part of a peace agreement signed earlier this month in Washington between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The deal grants the United States development rights for the proposed route, which would connect Azerbaijan directly with Nakhchivan, situated between Armenia, Turkey, and Iran.

Pashinyan argued that the new route could strengthen regional connectivity, potentially opening opportunities for Iranian trade to reach the Black Sea through Armenian territory.

Iran, however, has repeatedly voiced concerns about the project. Tehran fears the new corridor could marginalize its role in regional trade, reduce its access to Armenia and the Caucasus, and potentially bring U.S. or Western security forces closer to its borders. Since the deal was signed on August 8, Iranian officials have issued strong warnings, cautioning that the project might serve as a vehicle for Washington to expand its presence in the Caucasus.

Delighted to welcome President @drpezeshkian on his 1st official visit to Armenia.
We reaffirmed the deep friendship btw 🇦🇲 & 🇮🇷, resolve to elevate our partnership, expand trade to new heights & advance key infra projects for the prosperity & stability of the region. pic.twitter.com/Arrf9HhD6A

— Nikol Pashinyan (@NikolPashinyan) August 19, 2025

Iran’s firm opposition to US role in the Caucasus

During his visit, President Pezeshkian reiterated Iran’s opposition to any external involvement in Caucasus affairs. “Governance in the Caucasus region must remain Caucasian; outsourcing the resolution of Caucasus issues to extra-regional forces will complicate it,” he said. He also reaffirmed Tehran’s rejection of any attempt to alter the region’s internationally recognized borders, underlining the potential risks of instability.

Iran’s stance reflects a broader strategic concern about U.S. influence in its neighborhood. Tehran has consistently argued that American involvement in regional affairs has historically produced instability rather than security. Pezeshkian echoed this sentiment in Yerevan, stating, “Past experiences show that the presence of the United States in our region has never brought security or stability.” These remarks highlight Iran’s determination to maintain influence in the Caucasus alongside its strategic partner, Russia, and to prevent U.S. encroachment.

While the proposed corridor has been welcomed in some quarters, including Moscow, which sees potential economic and logistical benefits, Tehran remains deeply wary. Iranian officials suggest that the route, also known as the Zangezur corridor, could reduce Iran’s access to vital regional transport links. This has led Tehran to view the U.S.-brokered initiative not only as a threat to its security but also as a challenge to its long-term economic and political interests in the South Caucasus.

Strengthening Armenian-Iranian ties

Pezeshkian’s two-day visit to Yerevan also served to strengthen bilateral relations between Armenia and Iran. In meetings with both Prime Minister Pashinyan and President Vahagn Khachaturyan, the Iranian leader expressed his commitment to advancing cooperation across political, economic, and cultural domains.

“The purpose of my visit was to strengthen the bonds of friendship between our two nations, and I am pleased that our discussions have led to fruitful agreements,” Pezeshkian said.

Khachaturyan welcomed the outcome of the talks, describing them as a new chapter in Armenian-Iranian relations. He stressed that the two countries share thousands of years of cultural and historical ties and that these connections remain central to their partnership today.

The Armenian president also highlighted the role of Iranian businesses in Armenia’s economy, calling for further expansion of trade and investment, particularly in infrastructure and energy.

The meetings produced several agreements aimed at deepening cooperation. Although specific details were not disclosed publicly, officials signaled that new projects would strengthen connectivity and promote stability between the two nations. Observers noted that Armenia is increasingly looking to Iran as a counterbalance in its relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey, particularly as the peace deal reshapes dynamics in the region.

Regional implications and broader tensions

Beyond bilateral ties, the visit underscored Iran’s broader geopolitical calculations. By reaffirming its partnership with Armenia, Tehran seeks to consolidate its position in a region where Russia, Turkiye, and Western powers are also competing for influence. Analysts suggest that Iran views closer cooperation with Yerevan to maintain access to the South Caucasus and resist efforts to sideline it from regional projects.

The discussions also touched on wider international issues. Pezeshkian expressed appreciation for Armenia’s support in condemning Israeli actions against Iran, accusing Western governments of ignoring what he called “the atrocities of the Israeli regime in Gaza and elsewhere.”

He criticized what he described as Western double standards on human rights, accusing Washington and its allies of hypocrisy. Armenian leaders, for their part, echoed concerns about rising unilateralism in international politics, warning that the erosion of international law threatens global stability.

For Armenia, the balancing act is delicate. While the peace deal with Azerbaijan represents an attempt to stabilize relations and reduce conflict, the country must also address the security concerns of Iran, one of its closest neighbors.

For Iran, deepening ties with Armenia is both a strategic necessity and a symbolic gesture of resistance against U.S. influence. The outcome of this dynamic will shape the future of the South Caucasus, a region where borders, alliances, and outside interests continue to collide.