Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has, for the first time, openly stated his position on the Zangezur Corridor.

Axar.az reports that he said the hype surrounding the issue does not fully reflect reality.

"Regarding this corridor, I must say that the matter is not as exaggerated as it appears in the news, and according to the information we have, Iran’s demands concerning its territorial integrity have been met," he noted.

Pezeshkian’s statement is seen as an unexpected softening compared to the tough stance voiced in recent months by Iranian officials, especially the country’s leader’s adviser, Ali Akbar Velayati. Velayati had called the Zangezur Corridor project a “major threat” to Iran’s national unity and territorial integrity, claiming that the initiative could disrupt the geopolitical balance in the South Caucasus.

Pezeshkian, however, took a more pragmatic approach, stressing that the main principles concerning Tehran’s territorial integrity have been safeguarded. This change in tone also serves as an indirect response to some political circles in Iran that have strongly opposed the joint initiative of Armenia and Azerbaijan in the region.

Reports indicate that Pezeshkian was informed about the details of this process from the outset. This suggests that his position on the Zangezur Corridor is not accidental but rather based on a well-considered diplomatic strategy.

Analysts believe the Iranian president’s softer stance could give an additional boost to the peace process in the South Caucasus and create conditions for intensified dialogue between Tehran and Baku. However, it remains unclear whether hardliners like Velayati will accept this approach.