SAEDNEWS: In an exclusive interview, Turkey analyst Ali Heydari tells Saed News that Iran’s principled stance on the contentious Zangezur land bridge will remain unshaken—even in the wake of a direct Israeli attack.
According to Saed News, Ali Heydari, a renowned expert on Turkish affairs, sat down with our political correspondent to dissect how the recent military clash between Iran and Israel might reshape Tehran’s policy toward the proposed Zangezur corridor in the South Caucasus. Contrary to rumors that Iran’s regional influence has waned, Heydari insists that “nothing has changed in Iran’s core approach.”
He explains that Tehran still champions an open‐border settlement of the Armenia–Azerbaijan dispute, affirming that if Baku and its exclave of Nakhchivan are granted a direct land link through Zangezur, then Armenia “must equally benefit from that transit route.” According to Heydari, Yerevan’s position is clear: “If Azerbaijan fears face‑to‑face encounters between its citizens and Armenians, an international consortium can manage customs and security to keep tensions at bay.”
Highlighting Iran’s insistence on non‑violent conflict resolution, Heydari predicts the corridor will indeed become operational—but “not as sovereign Azerbaijani territory where Armenia has zero control.” Instead, he foresees a compromise mirroring post‑Soviet arrangements in which Russian nationals and goods moved tariff‑free, while third‑party transit was subject to fees. Under Tehran’s vision, Azerbaijan might pay no levies on its own citizens and cargo, yet impose duties on foreign transit—ensuring Yerevan shares in the economic upside without jeopardizing regional stability.
In Heydari’s view, “the Islamic Republic will not renege on its principles,” and Iran’s diplomatic hand in the South Caucasus will remain steadfast, regardless of external pressures.
