>Although Azerbaijan has expressed its intent to claim Armenian territory and create transit routes for at least the past four years, **Lavrov’s statement to Russian media marks the first instance in which Moscow has clearly articulated its stance on Zangezur.** The top diplomat’s public backing of the plan surprised many observers, who did not anticipate Russia would overlook Iran’s position on an issue it has repeatedly designated as a “redline.” Tehran and Moscow have been on the course to strengthen ties in the past years, with many Western media outlets expressing concern that the two are becoming each other’s “strategic allies”.
>**“For four years, Russia remained ambiguous on Azerbaijan’s proposed corridor. However, with the war in Ukraine and the occupation of its Western territories, Russia finds itself in a precarious position and is now seeking to appease Azerbaijan, likely by supporting its corridor plan, which could provide a vital energy export route to Europe,”** Hossein Salar Seyfodini, a researcher and expert on the South Caucasus region, told the Tehran Times.
>Seyfodini warned that the so-called Zangezur corridor might also give Israel, a close ally of Azerbaijan, a strategic advantage by enabling it to “encircle” Iran and exploit vulnerabilities in its borders. **He, however, said it is very unlikely that the proposed corridor would be established in the face of Iran’s strong opposition.**
>“In the past few years, various Iranian officials, including the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, have made it clear that Tehran will not allow changes to its borders. **I think Iranians will resist Zangezur all the way even if that means they need to intervene militarily.”**
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>Although Azerbaijan has expressed its intent to claim Armenian territory and create transit routes for at least the past four years, **Lavrov’s statement to Russian media marks the first instance in which Moscow has clearly articulated its stance on Zangezur.** The top diplomat’s public backing of the plan surprised many observers, who did not anticipate Russia would overlook Iran’s position on an issue it has repeatedly designated as a “redline.” Tehran and Moscow have been on the course to strengthen ties in the past years, with many Western media outlets expressing concern that the two are becoming each other’s “strategic allies”.
>**“For four years, Russia remained ambiguous on Azerbaijan’s proposed corridor. However, with the war in Ukraine and the occupation of its Western territories, Russia finds itself in a precarious position and is now seeking to appease Azerbaijan, likely by supporting its corridor plan, which could provide a vital energy export route to Europe,”** Hossein Salar Seyfodini, a researcher and expert on the South Caucasus region, told the Tehran Times.
>Seyfodini warned that the so-called Zangezur corridor might also give Israel, a close ally of Azerbaijan, a strategic advantage by enabling it to “encircle” Iran and exploit vulnerabilities in its borders. **He, however, said it is very unlikely that the proposed corridor would be established in the face of Iran’s strong opposition.**
>“In the past few years, various Iranian officials, including the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, have made it clear that Tehran will not allow changes to its borders. **I think Iranians will resist Zangezur all the way even if that means they need to intervene militarily.”**