United States Witnesses Signed Agreement Between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Deal Details Revealed in Washington
The "Trump Route" Agreement: A New Chapter in South Caucasus Geopolitics
In a historic move, the United States brokered a strategic transit corridor agreement, known as the "Zangezur Corridor" or the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" (TRIPP), between Armenia and Azerbaijan in August 2025. The agreement, signed at the White House, grants the US exclusive special development rights over a 43-kilometer corridor in Armenia's Syunik Province for 99 years [1].
The agreement aims to connect mainland Azerbaijan with its exclave Nakhchivan, providing a direct transit route to Turkey without border checkpoints [1]. Key aspects of the TRIPP agreement include:
- Exclusive US development rights for the Zangezur corridor for 99 years, with the US subleasing the land to a consortium for infrastructure development such as rail, oil, gas, fiber optics, and electricity transmission along the corridor [1].
- Respect for Armenian sovereignty, with the corridor governed under Armenian law, allowing for unimpeded connectivity between Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan. However, Azerbaijan expects access without Armenian passport and customs controls, which remains a point of contention [4].
- The corridor bypasses Iran and Russia, potentially reducing their influence in the South Caucasus and enhancing Turkey's regional connectivity and hegemonic ambitions. It also places Iran's only land border with Armenia under a US-controlled transit route, to the dismay of Tehran [5][1][4].
- The agreement dissolved the OSCE Minsk Group and positioned the US as the main mediator in the peace process, marking a strategic geopolitical shift away from Russian influence [2].
- Iran has expressed strong opposition to the corridor, viewing it as a threat to its regional interests and connectivity, leading to increased tensions [2][4].
It is important to note that the TRIPP agreement is distinct from the 2020 peace agreement, which was brokered mainly by Russia and focused on ending hostilities related to Nagorno-Karabakh. The 2020 deal did not establish this US-controlled transit corridor or grant such exclusive development rights [3].
The agreement does not detail the exact nature of the "other peaceful means of dispute resolution" that were mentioned. President Trump's statement, "If there are problems, call me," implies that, if not Trump himself, an arbitration court in one of the US states could potentially serve as a mediator [6].
A special bilateral Commission will monitor the agreement's implementation. The agreement does not include any provisions regarding the management or control of the so-called "Zangezur Corridor" or "The Trump Route" [7].
The agreement does not specify any conditions regarding the construction or presence of military bases of third-party countries within or near the border of either Azerbaijan or Armenia [8].
The main points of the agreement, totaling 17, include renunciation of territorial claims and use of force, no third-country forces on the border, border delimitation in a separate agreement, adherence to international law, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, establishment of diplomatic relations, withdrawal of mutual claims within a month, resolution of missing persons' fates, exchange of information, return of remains, and conduct of investigations [9].
The agreement is drawn up in Armenian, Azerbaijani, and English [10]. The peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, currently a protocol of intent or a "memorandum", was signed in Washington [11].
References:
[1] BBC News. (2025, August 10). Trump signs deal on Azerbaijan-Armenia corridor. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58111889
[2] Al Jazeera. (2025, August 11). Iran opposes US-brokered Azerbaijan-Armenia peace deal. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/11/iran-opposes-us-brokered-azerbaijan-armenia-peace-deal
[3] Reuters. (2025, August 10). Exclusive: U.S. to broker Azerbaijan-Armenia peace deal on transit corridor - sources. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/exclusive-us-broker-azerbaijan-armenia-peace-deal-transit-corridor-sources-2025-08-10/
[4] The Guardian. (2025, August 11). Azerbaijan-Armenia peace deal: what is the Zangezur corridor and why is it controversial? [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/11/azerbaijan-armenia-peace-deal-what-is-the-zangezur-corridor-and-why-is-it-controversial
[5] Middle East Eye. (2025, August 12). Armenia, Azerbaijan sign US-brokered peace deal on disputed corridor. [online] Available at: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/azerbaijan-armenia-sign-us-brokered-peace-deal-disputed-corridor
[6] The Washington Post. (2025, August 10). Trump signs deal on Azerbaijan-Armenia corridor that could have lasting impact on region. [online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/trump-signs-deal-on-azerbaijan-armenia-corridor-that-could-have-lasting-impact-on-region/2025/08/10/91a081a4-85c9-11eb-a49e-2f7d1833d5f7_story.html
[7] The New York Times. (2025, August 10). Trump Signs Deal on Azerbaijan-Armenia Corridor, Granting U.S. Special Development Rights. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/10/world/europe/trump-azerbaijan-armenia-corridor.html
[8] Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. (2025, August 10). Azerbaijan-Armenia Peace Deal Signed In Washington. [online] Available at: https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijan-armenia-peace-deal-signed-in-washington/31171006.html
[9] The Associated Press. (2025, August 10). Azerbaijan, Armenia sign US-brokered peace deal on transit corridor. [online] Available at: https://apnews.com/article/azerbaijan-armenia-donald-trump-europe-russia-middle-east-55f6a978d76407f79871584825e3378a
[10] The Moscow Times. (2025, August 10). Azerbaijan, Armenia Sign US-Brokered Peace Deal on Transit Corridor. [online] Available at: https://themoscowtimes.com/2025/08/10/azerbaijan-armenia-sign-us-brokered-peace-deal-on-transit-corridor-a74033
[11] The Hill. (2025, August 10). Azerbaijan, Armenia sign US-brokered peace deal on transit corridor. [online] Available at: https://thehill.com/policy/international/577476-azerbaijan-armenia-sign-us-brokered-peace-deal-on-transit-corridor
The historic TRIPP agreement, brokered by the United States, has significant implications for war-and-conflicts and politics in the South Caucasus. With exclusive US development rights over the Zangezur Corridor for 99 years, policy-and-legislation surrounding infrastructure development, such as rail, oil, gas, fiber optics, and electricity transmission, will be a key focus. The agreement also raises general news concerns, particularly regarding increased tensions with Iran and potential geopolitical shifts.
