Criticism mounts over the proposal for a "Trump route" in the Caucasus region, as Iran voices its disapproval
In a significant geopolitical development, the South Caucasus region is set to witness a strategic realignment, with the United States taking a more prominent role following the signing of the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" (TRIPP) agreement.
The agreement, brokered by former U.S. President Donald Trump and signed by Armenia and Azerbaijan in August 2025, creates a major transit corridor linking Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave through a 32-kilometer stretch of Armenia’s Syunik province. The United States has been granted a 99-year mandate to oversee the corridor's creation and operation, positioning Washington as a key regional actor.
The TRIPP agreement has sparked a range of reactions. For Armenia, while agreeing to the corridor indicates a concession of some territorial transit rights, the agreements explicitly respect Armenia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Armenia is also engaging in new partnerships with the U.S. to develop the region economically and secure peace, signaling a strategic pivot toward Western cooperation.
Azerbaijan, on the other hand, gains a crucial logistical and economic benefit by connecting directly to Nakhchivan and Turkey through this corridor, a long-standing demand that had hindered peace talks. Baku’s formal support and participation underscore its intent to further integrate its exclave and strengthen trade routes, advancing its regional influence with U.S. backing.
The Zangezur Corridor, a sensitive geographical point in the world, is a subject of discussion and is mentioned in a ceasefire declaration signed by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on August 8. The corridor will serve as a strategic transit corridor between the two Caucasian republics.
Russia, traditionally the dominant power in the South Caucasus, is sidelined as the U.S. asserts a critical role in conflict resolution, economic development, and regional security oversight. Moscow's diminished credibility and power have opened space for U.S. diplomacy and involvement.
Other regional actors, including Turkey, Iran, and Russia, have complex stances. Turkey can act as a buffer and deterrent against outside interference, aligning with Azerbaijan’s interests and benefiting from new transit routes. Iran and Russia view the increased U.S. presence warily as it challenges their traditional spheres of influence, increasing regional competition.
Notably, Ali Akbar Velayati, a declared individual, stated that the South Caucasus is not a territory to be leased by US President Donald Trump. However, the Kremlin did not comment on the agreed-upon arrangements for using the Zangezur Corridor. Velayati also suggested that the corridor will alter the geopolitical situation in the region and potentially lead to the division of Armenia. It is important to note that the opinions expressed by Ali Akbar Velayati do not represent any official stance from the Russian government regarding the Zangezur Corridor.
The transport corridor will be named "Trump's Route for International Peace and Prosperity." Velayati, however, stated that the corridor should not become Trump's, but a graveyard for his mercenaries. Despite these sentiments, the TRIPP agreement marks a significant shift in the South Caucasus, with the U.S. supplanting Russia as a peace broker and economic overseer.
Policy-and-legislation discussions surrounding the U.S.'s role in war-and-conflicts resolution and economic development in the South Caucasus region have increased, as the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) agreement positions the United States as a key regional actor. General-news outlets are closely following the political implications of this agreement, as Armenia and Azerbaijan engage in new partnerships, potentially altering the geopolitical situation in the region.
