Diplomats from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states endorse Azerbaijan-Armenia ceasefire agreement brokered at the White House.
Azerbaijan-Armenia Peace Deal Signed at the White House: A New Era of Peace and Prosperity in the South Caucasus
A significant milestone was reached in August 2025, as Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a peace deal at the White House, mediated by the United States. This agreement, hailed as a landmark, marks the end of decades of conflict and ushers in a new era of stability and cooperation in the South Caucasus.
The deal, known as the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), establishes a strategic transit corridor that connects Azerbaijan with its exclave Nakhchivan through Armenia, bypassing Iran and Russia. The US has been granted exclusive development rights for 99 years over a 27-mile corridor segment, which will be subleased for infrastructure projects like rail, oil, gas, and fiber optics, under Armenian law respecting its sovereignty.
The international community has responded positively to this agreement. The US sees it as a means to reduce the influence of Russia, Iran, and China in the region and promote regional economic integration and peace. Turkey's role as a key buffer and regional stabilizer is also emphasized, as the transit links strengthen Azerbaijani-Turkish ties.
However, not all regional powers are in agreement. Iran, initially welcoming the broader peace agreement, has threatened to block the corridor citing security concerns, showcasing the persisting regional tensions despite the progress.
The agreement sends a strong signal to regional powers like Russia and Iran that the US is now asserting a critical role in South Caucasus peace and development. Leaders present, including US President Trump, Azerbaijani President Aliyev, and Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan, framed the deal as historic, ending decades of hostility and opening new avenues for cooperation, trade, and infrastructure development.
While the joint declaration is a major breakthrough and a "peace and inter-state relations" agreement, it is not the final peace treaty. It lays the foundation requiring further actions to fully ratify and implement lasting peace. The US is expected to continue playing a crucial role in ensuring follow-through.
In summary, the deal was widely welcomed by the US and regional allies as a transformative step for peace and economic connectivity, though some regional powers like Iran have expressed concerns. The agreement includes:
- Ending hostilities and establishing diplomatic relations
- Creating the TRIPP transit corridor under Armenian jurisdiction but benefiting both states
- US long-term development rights enabling major infrastructure investments
- A geopolitical shift reducing influence of Russia, Iran, and China in the region
- Turkey's enhanced role as a regional stabilizer and economic partner
The European Union also hailed the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace deal at the White House as a "major development".
- The US-mediated peace deal between Azerbaijan and Armenia, known as the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), has significant implications for Turkiye as the transit links are expected to strengthen Azerbaijani-Turkish ties.
- The economic ramifications of the TRIPP agreement extend beyond the South Caucasus, with the US aiming to reduce the influence of Russia, Iran, and China in the region through this regional economic integration effort.
- Despite the positive international response, not all regional powers share the same sentiment. Iran has threatened to block the corridor due to security concerns, highlighting the persisting tensions in the region.
- Amidst the growing general news of this major breakthrough, Turkey's politics and policy-and-legislation have yet to be significantly impacted by the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace deal, with Istanbul continuing to maintain its strategic position within the region.
