Yerevan, July 14, 2025
Armenia has flatly rejected a reported U.S. proposal to assume control over the strategic Zangezur Corridor, dismissing the idea as incompatible with the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Speaking to local media, Nazeli Baghdasaryan, spokesperson for Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, said:
“We have repeatedly stated that any discussion around the reopening of regional infrastructure must take place exclusively within the framework of Armenia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and jurisdiction. We are not prepared to entertain any other logic. The option mentioned by the U.S. ambassador is not under consideration.”
Her remarks came in response to recent statements by U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, who suggested that Washington had offered to manage the 32-kilometer corridor linking Azerbaijan with its exclave of Nakhchivan. The plan, according to Barrack, would involve leasing the route to a neutral American commercial operator for a period of 100 years, allowing both sides guaranteed access and removing direct control from either party.
The corridor has long been a sticking point in peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. While Baku views it as a vital transport route connecting different parts of its territory, Yerevan sees any discussion of extraterritorial control as a red line.
The U.S. proposal was positioned as a way to break the deadlock and advance talks, but Armenia’s firm stance underscores the ongoing complexity of reaching a sustainable agreement in the South Caucasus.
