Iran has thwarted the attempt of creating the “Zangezur corridor,” said Ali Akbar Velayati, an adviser on international affairs to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Tasnim reports.

According to him, Iran has never been as powerful, independent, and influential as it is today. One of the clear signs of this capacity was Iran's rapid and decisive response to the crisis in the South Caucasus.

"When some countries attempted to link Nakhichevan to Azerbaijan through the territory of Armenia with the pretext of creating a ‘Zangezur corridor’ which would, in fact, mean partition and closure of the Iranian corridor to Europe, the Islamic Republic of Iran decisively opposed that program and thwarted its implementation," said Velayati.

He assured that Joe Biden himself, who was the US president then, had confessed that everything was ready to launch the “Zangezur corridor,” but Iran has hindered the implementation of that project.

"This statement proves that the Islamic Republic of Iran, even without Russia's support, has been able to maintain security in the South Caucasus region through intelligent diplomacy, and to prevent NATO’s penetration."

The Supreme Leader’s adviser noted that Iran's skilled and strategic presence in the South Caucasus is not only a protection of national interests, but also a strong barrier against the intervention of external forces in the affairs of the region.

Velayati stressed that the ultimate goal of the “Zangezur corridor” was not only to cut off Iran from the northern direction, but also to surround and close the circle around Russia from the south. However, this project has also failed, he added.