Azerbaijan and Turkey intensify cooperation through the Zangezur corridor amid Iran’s weakened influence. This project aims to connect Azerbaijan with Turkey via Armenian territory, seen as a strategic trade route to Europe and China. Iran’s opposition appears to soften, creating opportunities for new regional alignments.
In light of Iran’s declining influence in Syria and Lebanon, Azerbaijan and Turkey are intensifying efforts to establish strategic ties, particularly through the Zangezur corridor project, which Tehran has previously obstructed. The foreign ministers of Turkey and Azerbaijan convened in January to enhance economic and trade cooperation between their nations, signaling a deepening partnership.
The Zangezur corridor aims to connect Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan, a Turkish border region, through Armenian territory. This route forms part of a broader Turkish-Azerbaijani vision to establish a trade route linking Europe with China. Iran perceives this corridor, spanning approximately 40 kilometers, as a threat to its strategically vital alternative route to circumvent sanctions.
Armenia, Iran’s ally, also opposes the corridor, citing territorial concerns. Yet, with Iran facing setbacks, both Azerbaijan and Turkey view this as an opportunity to advance their initiative. Atilla Yesilada, an analyst, asserted that “a weaker Iran is a huge opportunity for Turkey in the Caucasus,” suggesting that Armenia’s resistance is largely due to Iran’s previous military assurances.
Despite Iran’s challenges, scholars like Huseyin Bagci from Ankara’s Middle East Technical University indicate that Tehran may benefit from amicable relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey if the Zangezur corridor is realized. In January 2023, Iran softened its stance, indicating that opposition to the corridor was no longer a priority amid evolving regional dynamics and its alignment with Moscow.
Russia is supportive of the Zangezur corridor as it aims to enhance its logistical networks, allowing trade routes that bypass international sanctions. Tatiana Mitrova from Columbia University elaborated that this corridor is integral to Russia’s plans for diversifying its export routes, linking northern and southern trade networks crucially.
The recent joint military exercises between the US and Armenia demonstrate strengthening ties that may constrain Turkey and Azerbaijan’s ambitions. However, the new US administration’s position on the corridor remains ambiguous, prompting warnings from analysts about potential opportunism by Baku and Ankara amidst this uncertainty.
Following Azerbaijan’s military successes in 2023 against Armenia, the potential for a peace agreement is emerging. Asli Aydintasbas from the Brookings Institution argues that Turkey’s involvement in the peace process could yield more diplomatic than economic rewards, positioning itself favorably with the Trump administration as a potential influencer in international peacemaking efforts.
President Erdogan of Turkey seeks to cultivate closer relations with President Trump while supporting Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The pursuit of enhanced cooperation could serve to solidify their countries’ roles in establishing a pivotal link between Europe and China, thus reshaping regional dynamics and international trade routes.
The article discusses the geopolitical dynamics between Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Iran, particularly focusing on the Zangezur corridor project. This corridor represents an altered strategy in response to Iran’s waning influence in the region, amidst its setbacks in Syria and Lebanon. Azerbaijan and Turkey’s enhanced cooperation seeks to create direct economic links through the contested Armenian territories, potentially shifting the regional balance of power.
Azerbaijan and Turkey are taking advantage of Iran’s weakened status by pursuing the Zangezur corridor, a project opposed by Iran and Armenia. As regional dynamics shift, Iran appears to reconsider its stance, potentially looking for improved relations with its neighbors. The completion of the corridor could alter trade routes significantly and reinforce the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Turkey, potentially drawing in Russia’s support as well.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
