TEHRAN – Ali Akbar Ahmadian of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) has repeatedly opposed the Islamic Republic’s robust opposition to regional geopolitical changes, warning that such changes could destabilise South Kaucasas and undermine the interests of all regions.
In a call with Armenian counterpart Amen Grigolyan on Saturday, the Ahmadian highlighted Tehran’s long-standing stance in favour of maintaining existing boundaries and national sovereignty across the region. He emphasized that maintaining the current geopolitical landscape will serve the collective interests of regional countries and contribute to long-term stability.
Iranian officials also expressed gratitude for Armenia’s condemnation of Israel’s recent Israeli invasion of Iran during the 12-day war. Movement in Tehran is considered a sign of principled regional solidarity.
In their conversation, Ahmadian and Grigorian exchanged opinions on the connections on both sides and regional development. Grigorian explained to Iran about his ongoing status in peace negotiations with Azerbaijan, reaffirming Armenia’s position on the bloc of regional transport routes. He emphasized that such arrangements must respect the integrity, sovereignty and jurisdiction of Armenia’s territorial integrity.
The Ahmadian expressed Iran’s support for Armenian’s approach, reaffirming Tehran’s opposition to externally imposed corridors that could change regional dynamics.
The issue of regional transport attracted international attention in the aftermath of the 2020 war between Armenia and Azerbaijan against Karabakh, a longtime territory recognized internationally as part of Azerbaijan. In May, Armenia and Azerbaijan reached an agreement on the text of the peace agreement, and Yerevan officially waived its claims to the Karabakh region. The Azerbaijani forces recaptured their territory in a rapid, 24-hour military operation.
However, concerns over the so-called “Zangezur Corridor” (the proposed land route that exclusively links the mainland Azerbaijan through the Southern Sinik province of Armenia) continued to increase Tehran’s warnings. The corridors defended by Baku and Ankara effectively cut off the historic land connections between Iran and Azerbaijan and Grant Azerbaijan and the passages of major Turkey’s regions.
While the plan faces sustained Iranian opposition, recent remarks by the US ambassador for Turkish Tom Barrack have rekindled concerns. Speaking with reporters on Friday, Barracks revealed that Washington proposed to take over management of the corridor project in a movement surrounded by support for the continued negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
However, Iranian analysts see the proposal as a geopolitical manipulation aimed at watching Iran by the sidelines and reshaping the dynamics of regional power.
The so-called Zangezur project, which gained traction in 2023 and early 2024, faces a solid response from Tehran. Iranian officials have consistently warned that attempts to force corridors will cross the red line.