‘Zangezur corridor’ issue is largely of secondary importance for Iran – Irina Fedorova
Speaking with Alpha News, Irina Fedorova, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, commented on Iran’s position on the so-called “Zangezur corridor.”
“Iran is in a rather difficult situation now—and not only due to what has developed in Syria. The domestic economic situation in Iran is quite contradictory; there are many problems. These problems can obviously be solved if sanctions are lifted from Iran. But this is highly questionable, because very serious bargaining is underway. Therefore, for Iran, the issue of the ‘Zangezur corridor’ is largely of secondary importance, which is determined by the domestic situation and not only by the external events that have occurred.
However, Iran is not such an easy negotiator; it is not so easy to agree to any concessions. In my opinion, Turkey will put pressure on Iran to take advantage of the situation because the ‘Zangezur corridor’ will naturally provide both Turkey and Azerbaijan with great benefits. Even if this corridor passes through Iranian territory, Turkey wants itself, not Iran, to play the main, decisive role in the use of this corridor. But Iran, of course, will not be happy with this, so there will be very serious bargaining between the countries participating in this project,” Fedorova said.
“Iran is not an easy negotiator, and it has its advantages against both Turkey and Azerbaijan, which it can use. At the moment, we can say that the talks on the ‘Zangezur corridor’ will be very serious. The bargaining will go on for a long time in any case, and it is difficult to say how it will end,” Fedorova concluded.