On January 17, 2024, Russia and Iran signed a Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Despite their cooperation, divergent interests in the South Caucasus regarding energy and transport sectors, particularly the Zangezur Corridor, complicate their relationship. The absence of alignment in their strategic approaches threatens the effectiveness of their partnership in the region.
On January 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and addressing areas such as NATO opposition and regional connectivity. Despite this collaborative framework, Moscow and Tehran diverge in their interests, particularly in the South Caucasus, affecting their respective influence in the region.
The two nations hold contrasting views regarding the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia from Georgia and differ in their military partnerships with Israel and Azerbaijan. These disagreements extend to economic factors, especially in energy and transport collaborations with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.
One prominent issue is the Zangezur Corridor, which links Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave. Following Putin’s visit to Baku, Russia expressed support for Azerbaijani access through this corridor, leading to criticism from Iran, as it could isolate Iran’s borders. Iran, while not opposed to direct land access between Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan, significantly opposes this project.
Iran sought to clarify its position after Russia aligned closely with Azerbaijan on border issues. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, assured that Russia recognizes Iran’s concerns regarding the Zangezur Corridor. Iran remains aligned with Armenia against Azerbaijani-Turkish initiatives regarding this corridor.
Another critical point of contention is the Aras Corridor, proposed to connect Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan via Iran. Although Azerbaijan and Iran agreed on construction plans for this route, Russia’s reluctance to support the project, unlike its backing of the Zangezur Corridor, limits Iran’s strategic options in the region. The Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement further emphasizes Russia’s control over transport routes that may benefit its interests more than Iran’s.
Additionally, economic competition manifests in the Iran-Armenia railway project, which threatens Russian Railways’ monopoly in Armenia. Russia is concerned about losing influence as Armenia seeks closer ties with Iran. Furthermore, both nations vie for natural gas export dominance to Armenia, evident in their past agreements and ongoing negotiations amid geopolitical tensions that favor Russian interests.
The relationship between Russia and Iran in the South Caucasus is marked by both cooperation and conflict. Although they share strategic objectives like opposing NATO expansion, their diverging interests, especially surrounding energy and transportation, complicate efforts towards a unified partnership. Without addressing these conflicts, their collaborative engagement in the South Caucasus is likely to remain fractured.
The signing of the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Russia and Iran reflects their intention to enhance collaboration in various areas, including opposing NATO expansion. However, diverging interests, particularly in the South Caucasus regarding transport corridors, military alliances, and energy exports, significantly complicate their relationship. Unless these conflicts are addressed, the partnership will struggle to achieve alignment in the region.
Original Source: jamestown.org
