In remarks at a ceremony in Tehran to commemorate Sheikh Safi al-Din Ardabili, Velayati addressed geopolitical concerns surrounding the Republic of Azerbaijan and the proposed Zangezur Corridor.

He stated that enemies of Iran—particularly global Zionism and the United States—have long been disturbed by Iran’s historic unity and deep cultural ties in the region.

“These actors seek to weaken the foundations of Iranian identity as a means to harm the country’s national security,” he stated.

Velayati said plans like the Zangezur Corridor serve as a cover for larger geopolitical projects.

He warned that the primary aim is to weaken the resistance axis, sever Iran’s connection to the Caucasus, and impose a land blockade on both Iran and Russia in the region’s south.

Velayati stressed that Iran's national security remains a red line.