Iran, Russia, and China Expand Cooperation in the Caucasus and Central Asia
Guest analysis by Ehsan Movahedian: Escalating hostile actions by the United States and Europe have tightened political, economic, and cultural pressures on Iran. Naturally, this pushes Iran toward strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation, especially with Russia and China. Simultaneously occurring, rival actors including the U.S., UK, Turkey, and Israel are expanding their political, security, and intelligence influence in the Caucasus and Central Asia.This means Tehran and Moscow must cooperate strategically across several operational areas to curb foreign competitors’ influence.
Recent developments in the Caucasus and Central Asia highlight how quickly this region is becoming a challenging arena for Iran, Russia-and later China.Last week, Brianna Todd of the Atlantic Council and a U.S. Department of Defense associate stated in a meeting with Turkey’s ambassador to Washington that Armenia and tajikistan are missing elements of the Turkic Council. she called for Armenia’s and Tajikistan’s membership under Turkey’s leadership. Todd emphasized seeing South Caucasus and Central Asia as one entity where these countries fill crucial gaps within the Turkic association.
In another move, a large data center is under construction in Armenia to meet U.S. intelligence needs. This facility will enable extensive processing of intercepted data in the region. Locating it in armenia provides Americans access not only within South Caucasus but also across broader Middle Eastern computational resources.
The West now considers Azerbaijan part of Central Asia politically; talks about expanding from 1+5 (five Central Asian states) to 1+6 (including azerbaijan plus U.S.) frameworks have emerged. Amid Baku’s continued provocations against Moscow, Russia has had to respond accordingly. Turkish-Azerbaijani support for jihadist groups in both regions; American-led destabilization efforts through Georgia; attempts to extend the Abraham Accords into Caucasus-Central Asia; alongside Turkey acting as an American-NATO proxy-all demonstrate that traditional responses cannot address these evolving threats effectively.
Practical areas of cooperation – prioritized responses against U.S., UK & Israeli influence:
Military & security
1. Enhance cross-border security coordination-including military collaboration-and share intelligence on third-party activities within Caucasus corridors like “Trump Route.”
2. Conduct joint maritime/air exercises focusing on asymmetric threat response: terrorism prevention, sabotage countermeasures, cyberattack defenses targeting crucial Caspian Sea transport routes.
3. Establish a joint center for monitoring news/events that counters infiltration operations-especially disinformation campaigns via social networks/local media-recognizing close Azerbaijan-Israel cooperation exists here.
4. Cooperate on boosting cybersecurity infrastructure protecting national digital domains vital logistics hubs such as customs facilities or ports throughout regionally critical corridors.
This framework aims at controlling narratives while blocking information warfare propagated by regional rivals (Turkey/Israel/West) seeking political leverage.
Transit & Corridor Advancement
1. Build shared transport routes reducing dependency on third-party-controlled corridors-for example reinforcing rail links among Iran-Azerbaijan-Russia or Iran-Armenia-Georgia-Russia chains plus choice Caspian Sea shipping lanes.
The Russian-Iranian collaboration over an “Aras corridor” connecting Baku via Iranian territory with Nakhchivan would considerably disrupt contentious transit projects like “Trump Route.”
2. develop integrated logistic/transit projects tying local economies along Tehran-Moscow-Central Asian artery. Strengthening rail connectivity from Kazakhstan-turkmenistan between Iran-Russia remains essential.
This curbs growing American-Turkish geopolitical footprint throughout Caucasus regions. .....
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