The current situation in the region forces many observers to admit that Azerbaijan was ready for it. He was fully armed again, and everything he had planned and implemented turned out to be critically needed by everyone.

The South Caucasus, again thanks to Baku's foresight, is currently the safest corridor for international transport and logistics. And what should be emphasized is that all conditions have been created for this by the efforts of Azerbaijan and its partners. There is all the necessary infrastructure, and there are good relations between the countries along the entire length of the Middle Corridor, which is of particular importance in our time, when the system of international law is collapsing. This situation eliminates unpleasant surprises and undesirable reactions, as all transit participants are friends and will always be able to negotiate. No other international logistics route can boast such advantages.

Armenia could also enter this circle, but...

The Speaker of the Armenian Parliament, Alen Simonyan, recently touched upon the topic of the Zangezur corridor, answering questions from journalists. He looked very worried, which is not surprising, considering that due to the war between Iran and Israel, Armenia was cut off from the world. Unlike Iran's other neighbors, Armenia is not worried about radiation, the possibility of accidental arrivals, the prospect of a migration crisis, and the like. This country has bigger problems. After all, today it has found itself in even more severe isolation than during the occupation of the territories of Azerbaijan. Such a situation should have given rise to doubts, which would have resulted in the acceptance of reality. But so far it is not visible. Simonyan stated that the topic of the Zangezur corridor is closed once and for all. "There will be roads, we have talked about this, and legal formulations have been repeatedly given. In Azerbaijan, they want their whole country to turn into a corridor; there were statements about this, to which we reacted and faced their surprise," said a concerned Simonyan.

It is quite natural that the Azerbaijani side is surprised by Yerevan's position. Azerbaijan is a state that always thinks about the future and takes steps to achieve the most effective result. Therefore, the persistent opposition to the construction of the Zangezur corridor surprises us. How can you not be surprised? The occupying country, even the former one, is being offered to become part of a profitable transport and logistics project that has already proven itself to be the most stable and secure. Today's situation has once again proved that the Middle Corridor is the most reliable logistics route, and this will make itself felt very soon. Baku has offered Armenia, which deserves not joint projects, but an international tribunal for its crimes, to become part of international logistics. And she stupidly refused. This is the extent to which one must not think about the future in order to reject such a chance. How can I not be surprised?

It seems to Yerevan that this is how it protects the honor and dignity of the country, but in fact it deprives it of prospects. We had to worry about the honor and dignity of Armenia back in the late 80s. It's too late now. Now we need to think about how to get out of the situation with the least losses. Azerbaijan is offering its neighbors a way out. And they declare that the topic is closed and will not be opened again.

Won't it open? Then let no one be surprised by news like the following. There will be many more.

Economy Minister Gevorg Papazyan stated that the Iran-Israel conflict has affected Armenian exports and imports. According to him, part of the Armenian cargo is stuck in the port of Bandar Abbas and on the roads in Iran. "These are factors that are practically beyond our control, but we hope that the conflict will be resolved and we will be able to transport goods through friendly Iran, as before," he told reporters.

Finance Minister Vahe Hovhannisyan added sadly that "if the situation escalates, supplies through Iranian territory may be disrupted, may take longer or become more expensive."

Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia Martin Galstyan predicted a weakening of the Armenian economy, primarily trade relations, in the event of a prolonged conflict.

In other words, the Armenian society has been warned that everything is bad and will get worse. Armenia, as always, was not ready for difficulties. As always, she did not have a plan B. Of course, the deepening and prolongation of hostilities to one degree or another necessarily affects the neighbors of the warring parties, but Armenia was again in the worst situation. It could have been otherwise. In the five post-war years, Armenia had the opportunity to open communications. She didn't open it. Instead, Yerevan was engaged in projecting, the consequences of which it is reaping today.

First of all, it is the "Crossroads of the World", initially declared as the "Armenian crossroads". The author of the idea is Nikol Pashinyan himself. The eccentric prime Minister, who does not understand the topic, decided to drown out the topic of the road through Zangezur with his project, which from the very beginning experts said was unrealistic. Pashinyan was going to cross the North-South and West-East in the Armenian territory. None of these corridors currently pass through Armenia. The Armenian Prime minister only really wants them to pass through his country, and hopes to get someone else who depends on it to do the same. He's been working on this for two years. The result is zero.

I must say that initially Pashinyan agreed to the Zangezur corridor, work even began on the feasibility study of the project, but then the new allies dissuaded him. And if there is no corridor, there is no opening of communications in general. The winning side sets the conditions, not the losing side. Remaining on the advice of imaginary well-wishers with closed borders, Pashinyan began to look for a way out and found it in the "Crossroads of the World." But this project did not arouse the interest of investors, and most importantly, it did not arouse any interest in Baku.

In parallel with the unsuccessful "crossroads", Yerevan aimed at a corridor to the Indian Ocean. It was stated that Armenia is going to participate in the Indian port of Chabahar project in order to become a key country in the Persian Gulf-Black Sea corridor. The Ministry of Economy pointed out that the port "will become an important hub for Armenia to develop and deepen trade relations with the outside world." Yerevan was eagerly awaiting the signing of contracts and the start of work of Armenian companies in Chabahar.

In 2022, India and Iran agreed to expand Indian investments in the construction of the Iranian port of Chabahar in the Gulf of Oman. How Armenia ended up in the project remains a mystery. Most likely, it was pushed there by the Indian side, which has become Yerevan's closest ally for some time. Armenia's role in the project is not fully clear. It has neither the finances nor the infrastructure to somehow participate in large-scale cargo transportation along the South-North and South-West lines. It is doubtful that India would be willing to bear all the costs of building international highways and railways on the mountainous territory of an ally. Only with this infrastructure would Armenia be able to count on something.

In the light of the events taking place in Yerevan today, they should have understood the meaninglessness and absurdity of these transit fantasies and turned to reality. However, judging by the statements of Alain Simonyan, the realization of the realities is still delayed.

And the realities are as follows. The transformation of Armenia into a key point on the Persian Gulf-Black Sea route has been postponed indefinitely. These hopes did not seem realistic before, but today they are turning into complete nothingness. Of course, the war in the south will end sooner or later, which we sincerely wish both Iran and Israel. But with the end of the fighting, there will only be more problems. In this case, we are talking about Iran. Rocket attacks have already caused considerable damage to industry and infrastructure. After the war stops, the Iranian side will have to recover in order to return to a normal peaceful life. Undoubtedly, the destruction will befall the transport infrastructure, ports, terminals. If there is no outside help, the country will have a hard time.

After this war, Iran will need active and large-scale logistics. The kind that has already been established with Azerbaijan. Experts suggest that the demand for the North-South MTK will increase significantly. For Iran, Azerbaijan is a road both to the North and to the West. We emphasize that this is a road that already exists and has been operating for a long time. Flirting with Armenia is a secondary matter. In any case, Iran will have no time for Armenian projects, nor for the construction of corridors from the Persian Gulf to Europe. This project requires huge funds, and Yerevan will have to wait a very long time.

And everything could have been different for Armenia if it had been more far-sighted. Some 40 kilometers of railway tracks could save its economy from the crisis. This is one hundredth of the grandiose and impossible projects for Armenia that are being conceived in Yerevan. A small section of rails and sleepers - and the country's trade turnover could not stop. It would have continued successfully in all directions. Just 40 kilometers and the problems would have been solved.

What could the Zangezur corridor give Armenia? Seamless access to Asia and Europe, access to the Mediterranean Sea. Rail transportation is a completely different level of logistics and other volumes. Armenia could use the road through Meghri to access Iran's railway network, and from there move to the coveted Persian Gulf. And for that, she wouldn't have to go into debt and build her own road.

The Zangezur corridor would open up great opportunities for Armenia. But Yerevan, as Simonyan says, closed the topic once and for all. And we are really, really surprised by this.

Just don't let them say later that we didn't warn them.