Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said today that he is optimistic about the development of communication routes in the region, but again warned: “The development of routes should not lead to a change in the geopolitical map of the region or the involvement of non-regional players, which we do not consider beneficial for the security and stability of the region.”
In an interview with Radar Armenia, Iranologist Emma Begijanyan said that such a reaction from Iran was expected. “Iran has always, for 35 years, been against attempts by countries outside the region to interfere in regional affairs. Therefore, it could not help but express a clear opinion when information was already spreading internationally that an American company might control the Zangezur corridor, especially when it became clear that Armenia had also expressed a negative position at a high level. And for Iran, America means Israel with its back, which, of course, is a very undesirable and unacceptable thing,” she detailed, adding that Iran was waiting for the official position of Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Taking into account the comments in the Iranian press, Begijanyan noted that Iran is concerned about what kind of organization will be in control, what power will be behind it, and what its goals will be. “It may be a private Turkish corridor of Azerbaijan. In addition, if Azerbaijan bribes high-ranking officials, then what guarantee is there that it will not bribe that company, for example, to serve Israel. Because such a proposal could stem from the interests of Israel itself,” the speaker emphasized.
Begijanyan did not rule out the possibility that Netanyahu had made such a proposal.
“However, if Armenia makes a decision on its own and makes Iran understand that, to put it bluntly, it is none of its business, Iran will not be able to do anything. Since the roads that remain closed are beneficial even to Iran, Iran will not suffer any harm. We are relying on one road and are depriving ourselves of many opportunities. So we have every right and must make a sovereign decision that is in our interests. “It will have no consequences and will not affect not only Armenia, but also will not be an obstacle to the proposals of America or the EU,” he said.
On the other hand, according to the expert, Iran’s reaction will be different and may intervene if Armenia says, “I don’t want to, but I can’t, I have to agree to some option, American, Russian, or other.”
