In recent days, Iran has voiced unusual criticism against Russia, following its support for Azerbaijan in the Zangezur Corridor dispute.
The corridor, which connects Azerbaijan with the Nakhchivan enclave—a region that is territorially separated from the rest of the country—is a source of tension between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Iran opposes Azeri control over the corridor, as it blocks the territorial continuity between Iran and Armenia and, from there, to Europe. Following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Baku last month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed support for Azerbaijan’s position and accused Armenia of obstructing efforts to reach a peace agreement between the two countries. The Russian position reflects the cooling of its relationship with Armenia in recent years, particularly since the war in Ukraine and Armenia’s significant rapprochement with the West.
In response to the Russian statements, the Russian ambassador in Tehran was summoned for a clarification meeting with the director general of the Eurasia Department of the Iranian Foreign Ministry. The director general reiterated Iran’s opposition to changing the international borders in the Caucasus. Senior Iranian officials also have harshly criticized Russia’s policy. Mohsen Rezaee, a former commander of the Revolutionary Guards and member of the “Expediency Discernment Council” claimed that Russia’s conduct contradicts the strategic ties between the two countries. Majles member Ahmad Nadri argued that Iran’s lack of a strong response to previous Russian actions have emboldened Moscow. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also implicitly criticized Russia’s position. In a post on X, he emphasized that any threat to the territorial integrity of Iran’s neighbors or the redrawing of the borders is completely unacceptable and constitutes a “red line” for Iran.
These tensions over the Zangezur Corridor highlight Iran’s longstanding suspicion of Russia and the inherent limitations of their relationship, despite their strengthened strategic partnership in recent years, particularly since the war in Ukraine. The current tensions come amid the formation of a new government in Tehran led by the newly elected president, Masoud Pezeshkian. The president emphasized his commitment to continuing good relations with Russia, he also seeks to renew the nuclear talks with the West, aimed to reach a political settlement that will lift the sanctions and improve relations with the West.
It is unlikely that Iran will change its strategy toward Russia in the near future, and the two countries are even expected to sign a multi-year agreement strategic cooperation agreement soon. However, Iran’s growing dissatisfaction with Russia’s conduct and the perception that Moscow is failing to meet Iran’s expectations have sowed doubt in Tehran’s official stance toward Moscow and may create opportunities to drive a wedge between them in the future.
In recent days, Iran has voiced unusual criticism against Russia, following its support for Azerbaijan in the Zangezur Corridor dispute.
The corridor, which connects Azerbaijan with the Nakhchivan enclave—a region that is territorially separated from the rest of the country—is a source of tension between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Iran opposes Azeri control over the corridor, as it blocks the territorial continuity between Iran and Armenia and, from there, to Europe. Following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Baku last month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed support for Azerbaijan’s position and accused Armenia of obstructing efforts to reach a peace agreement between the two countries. The Russian position reflects the cooling of its relationship with Armenia in recent years, particularly since the war in Ukraine and Armenia’s significant rapprochement with the West.
In response to the Russian statements, the Russian ambassador in Tehran was summoned for a clarification meeting with the director general of the Eurasia Department of the Iranian Foreign Ministry. The director general reiterated Iran’s opposition to changing the international borders in the Caucasus. Senior Iranian officials also have harshly criticized Russia’s policy. Mohsen Rezaee, a former commander of the Revolutionary Guards and member of the “Expediency Discernment Council” claimed that Russia’s conduct contradicts the strategic ties between the two countries. Majles member Ahmad Nadri argued that Iran’s lack of a strong response to previous Russian actions have emboldened Moscow. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also implicitly criticized Russia’s position. In a post on X, he emphasized that any threat to the territorial integrity of Iran’s neighbors or the redrawing of the borders is completely unacceptable and constitutes a “red line” for Iran.
These tensions over the Zangezur Corridor highlight Iran’s longstanding suspicion of Russia and the inherent limitations of their relationship, despite their strengthened strategic partnership in recent years, particularly since the war in Ukraine. The current tensions come amid the formation of a new government in Tehran led by the newly elected president, Masoud Pezeshkian. The president emphasized his commitment to continuing good relations with Russia, he also seeks to renew the nuclear talks with the West, aimed to reach a political settlement that will lift the sanctions and improve relations with the West.
It is unlikely that Iran will change its strategy toward Russia in the near future, and the two countries are even expected to sign a multi-year agreement strategic cooperation agreement soon. However, Iran’s growing dissatisfaction with Russia’s conduct and the perception that Moscow is failing to meet Iran’s expectations have sowed doubt in Tehran’s official stance toward Moscow and may create opportunities to drive a wedge between them in the future.