After the Russia-Ukraine war, new transport corridors linking Asia to Europe have gained greater importance. Amid this, Turkey and Azerbaijan are developing the “Middle Corridor” to facilitate a China-to-Europe route via Central Asia and the Caucasus. This process has effectively received backing from the United States and the European Union, with a clear objective: to reduce Iran’s position in international trade routes.
Tehran has repeatedly voiced opposition to the Zangezur Corridor, a key component of the Middle Corridor. The project could increase Turkish and NATO influence in the Caucasus, limit Iran’s traditional routes to Russia and Europe, and even marginalize Moscow’s and Tehran’s positions in the South Caucasus. Therefore, the issue is not merely economic; it is closely tied to Iran’s national security.
West and Its Instrumental View of Armenia
For Washington and Brussels, Armenia is not a genuine partner but a platform for connecting Turkey to Central Asia. Azerbaijan’s and Central Asia’s energy resources are primarily destined for Europe, and any route that can bypass Russia and Iran is valuable to the West. From this perspective, Zangezur is not merely a passageway but part of a broader strategy to contain Iran’s and Russia’s geopolitical influence.
This approach has led Iran not only to officially oppose the project but also to turn toward parallel and alternative routes to counter its effects.
Alternative Corridors: Opportunities for Iran
Relying on its unique geographic position, Iran can activate new transit networks. The Tajikistan-Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Turkey (TUTIT) route is one of the most significant projects that can carry goods from China through Central Asia to Europe while passing through Iranian territory. This project not only diversifies transit routes but also serves as an economic and political lever for Iran under sanctions.
Additionally, the China-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway is rapidly expanding. Reports indicate that freight volume along this route in 2024 has increased by 31 percent compared to the previous year. The reduction of delivery time from China to Iran to 15 days is a clear indicator of this corridor’s high capacity.
Strengthening Iran’s Position in the Eurasian Equation
Iran has taken important steps in cooperation with Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan to facilitate transport, reduce transit costs, and establish logistics hubs. Agreements on improving transport management and developing port infrastructure in southern Iran pave the way for Tehran to become a key node in Eurasia’s supply chain.
The main advantage of this approach is that Iran will not only avoid being pressured by the West in the Caucasus but also, by creating diversified corridors, it will unlock new capacities for both maritime and overland trade. This is the point at which Tehran can disrupt the West’s designed strategy to exclude Iran from major trade routes and even take the initiative at a new level.
NOURNEWS