ArmInfo.No doubt, Iran is now concerned over the possibility of a "Zangezur corridor" running via Armenia's Syunik rather than over demarcation of the Armenian- Azerbaijani border, expert in Iranian studies Emma Baghijanyan said in an interview with ArmInfo.
"Despite Armenian mass media mentioning border delimitation issue as one of the main topics of the latest telephone conversation between Armenia's Premier Nikol Pashinyan and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. In fact, the state leaders discussed the issue of the corridor. I followed Iranian mass media response to Ilham Aliyev's statement on an alleged agreement with Pashinyan on opening the corridor. And I can say this issue is of main interest to Tehran, whereas border delimitation and demarcation is only derivative," she said.
Aliyev's statements arouse concern not only in Armenia, but also in Iran, given the fact that Armenian officials, who time and again claim the impossibility of an extraterritorial corridor, prefer remaining silent about Aliyev's statement. Yerevan's not responding to Baku's statements is causing uncertainty not only in Armenia, which, in turn, necessitates top-level telephone talks, the expert said.
It is expeditious implementation of the North-South project that could have prevented Baku's "corridor- related" statements being made not at all in the context of unblocking regional transport links, but for the purpose of getting an extraterritorial corridor for Azerbaijan and Turkey, which would enable them to realize their long-term geopolitical plans, including plans against Iran.
"The fact is that our interests coincide only with Iran's. Sadly, however, I do not see any serious steps on Armenia's part to prevent the Turkish-Azerbaijani expansionist designs. And the very intensified mutual visits by Armenian and Iranian officials are evidence that, in contrast to Yerevan, Tehran is perfectly aware of its interests. And, happily, their interests coincide with ours," Ms Baghijanyan said.