Civilnet
By Zhanna Avagyan
Iran’s ambassador to Armenia has reiterated Tehran’s firm opposition to any regional transport arrangement that infringes on state sovereignty, a message that can be interpreted as a warning against proposals to place parts of southern Armenia under international or foreign management.
“We are not against unblocking [transport] routes in the region,” said Ambassador Mehdi Sobhanin in an interview with Armenian Public Television, “but this must occur within the framework of countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity.” He emphasized that all regional states should benefit from connectivity projects, not be disadvantaged by them.
Sobhani’s comments come amid escalating debate over a proposed transit route through Armenia’s Syunik province that would connect mainland Azerbaijan with its exclave Nakhichevan.
Recently, U.S. officials confirmed that the United States has floated the idea of leasing the 32-kilometer road through Syunik to a third-party—possibly a U.S.-based logistics company—for up to 100 years.
Although Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has denied any intention of ceding sovereignty, he acknowledged receiving such proposals from Washington and other capitals. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Pashinyan said his government is open to infrastructure “outsourcing,” drawing comparisons to how Armenia’s international airport or railways are operated by foreign firms. Critics have called this analogy misleading and warned that it risks eroding public understanding of sovereignty.
Iran has been especially vocal about the geopolitical implications of a potential extraterritorial corridor. The country shares its only open land border with Armenia via Syunik, and Iranian officials have consistently warned that any change to that dynamic would constitute a red line.
Ambassador Sobhanin also stressed that Tehran does not view Armenia’s outreach to Western powers—including the U.S., EU, as well as India—as threatening, provided that it does not come at Iran’s expense. “The diversification of Armenia’s foreign policy is a natural right,” he said. “We are confident that our Armenian friends are managing their relations with sensitivity and responsibility.”
Also read: US envoy confirms plan to lease Armenian transit route amid peace efforts
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