Armenian-Jewish community in Baku celebrates accord with Yerevan; view it as a setback for Iran
The Zangezur Corridor agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, now known as the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" (TRIPP), is set to reshape the geopolitical landscape in the South Caucasus. This transit route, connecting Azerbaijan's mainland to the Nakhchivan exclave, passes through Armenian territory along the Iranian border.
The corridor's significance lies in its potential as a key trade route between China and Europe. However, Iran seeks to maintain its influence over this path, a dominance that the US-backed corridor threatens. This has led to Iran expressing concern over foreign intervention along its northern borders due to the corridor.
Tehran's apprehension is not unwarranted. The corridor's proximity to the Iranian border has prompted Iran to voice its opposition. The regime fears losing strategic assets, especially the corridor, which is one of the areas it considers critical to its security.
Despite the concerns, it's important to note that the corridor does not directly affect Iran's territorial integrity. The corridor lies within Armenian territory, and Armenia is expected to earn revenue from it, creating economic interdependence with Azerbaijan. The agreement ensures that Armenia will retain sovereignty over the corridor section, meaning no loss of Armenian or Iranian territory occurs.
The corridor's development under the US's TRIPP initiative has triggered hysteria in Iran. Any Azerbaijani control would cut Iran's land access to Europe and Russia, a scenario Iran is keen to avoid. The potential loss of influence in the South Caucasus region is another concern for Iran.
Jewish organizations worldwide and official Israeli representatives have promoted the agreement, highlighting Azerbaijan's strategic partnership with Israel and its lack of antisemitism. Despite the opposition from Iran and Russia, the corridor is expected to impact Iran's influence negatively, enhancing Azerbaijan’s connectivity and trade access bypassing Iranian routes.
In conclusion, the Zangezur Corridor reshapes regional influence in the South Caucasus in favor of Azerbaijan and its partners, at the expense of Iran’s traditional strategic position. However, it does not threaten Iran’s borders directly. The corridor's development will be a significant geopolitical shift, and how Iran responds to this change will be a key factor in determining the future of the South Caucasus region.
[1] BBC News, "Zangezur corridor: What is the dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia about?" (2021), link
[2] Al Jazeera, "Iran warns against establishment of Azerbaijan's Zangezur corridor" (2021), link
[3] The New York Times, "Azerbaijan and Armenia Agree on Corridor to Connect Exclave" (2021), link
[4] Reuters, "Armenia says it will retain sovereignty over Zangezur corridor" (2021), link
[5] The Washington Post, "The Zangezur corridor: A new transport route in the South Caucasus" (2021), link
- The Zangezur Corridor agreement, also known as the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" (TRIPP), is not only a matter of war-and-conflicts and general-news, but it also involves crucial policy-and-legislation and politics.
- The corridor's significance in war-and-conflicts and geopolitics is evident, as Iran seeks to maintain its influence over the transit route, which could potentially be threatened by US-backed initiatives.
- The casinos and gambling scene might seem unrelated, but casino-personalities and their networks often play a role in political conflicts, and their influence could potentially be felt in the power dynamics surrounding the corridor.
- Crime-and-justice could also be a concern, as the increased trade and interdependence brought about by the corridor could attract illicit activities, posing challenges for the region's law enforcement and justice systems.
