The Caucasus Corridor Denied

Iranian media primarily focused on the nation's assertive stance against perceived US influence in the Caucasus. Throughout the afternoon, senior officials, including Velayati and a Khamenei advisor, explicitly declared Iran's intent to block any American-backed corridor in the region, particularly the Zangezur corridor, with or without Russian cooperation. This was framed as preventing "Trump's path" and described as a "graveyard for mercenaries." Concurrently, the passing of renowned artist Mahmoud Farshchian dominated domestic cultural news, with extensive coverage of his legacy. Official Pezeshkian's public statements emphasizing national unity and praising journalists continued across various outlets. Regional security remained a consistent concern, with ongoing speculation about a future Iran-Israel missile conflict and continued condemnations of Israel's Gaza City occupation plan. Domestically, economic challenges persisted, alongside reports of judiciary allegations against individuals accused of spying for Mossad.