On July 16, 2025, it was revealed that the United States had proposed taking control of a transport corridor linking mainland Azerbaijan with the Nakhchivan exclave through Armenia’s southern Syunik province. This proposal, though unexpected, is a logical step given the shifting balance of power in the South Caucasus. The corridor, known in Azerbaijan as the “Zangezur Corridor” and in Armenia as part of the “Crossroads of Peace” initiative, has been a source of heated disputes for several years.

For Azerbaijan, establishing a direct land connection to Nakhchivan and further to Turkey would significantly reduce transportation costs and strengthen its position as a transit hub between Europe and Asia. President Ilham Aliyev views this project as a strategic victory and a symbol of the unity of the Turkic world — “from Istanbul to Tashkent.” In addition, the corridor would reduce Azerbaijan’s dependence on Iranian and Georgian routes and enhance its regional influence.

For Armenia, losing control over part of Syunik could effectively split the country into two and deprive it of a strategically important link to Iran. Although the corridor could theoretically generate revenue, Yerevan’s primary concern is maintaining full control over its territory and avoiding becoming a mere transit route under foreign administration. The Crossroads of Peace initiative proposes the mutual opening of all communications, which could turn Armenia into a regional logistics hub without compromising its sovereignty.

American management of the corridor could serve as a security guarantee and reduce the risk of direct clashes between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces. Washington is clearly seeking to strengthen its presence in the region, displacing Moscow and Tehran from key logistical projects. The United States is also interested in supporting the so-called “Middle Corridor,” which connects Europe and China while bypassing Russia.

Moscow perceives the US initiative as a direct challenge. Until now, Russian peacekeepers were considered the main potential guarantors of the corridor’s security. Weakening Russia’s influence in the South Caucasus would deal a serious blow to its regional standing.

Tehran is firmly opposed to any format that might cut Armenia off from the Iranian border. For Iran, the Armenian-Iranian connection is a strategic lifeline, and the growing American presence to its north is viewed as a threat.

Ankara, on the other hand, actively supports the project, as it would open a direct route to Azerbaijan and further into Central Asia. Turkey is interested in rapid implementation and is expected to exert both diplomatic and economic pressure on Yerevan.

The United States is expected to actively lobby its proposal, offering Yerevan security guarantees and economic incentives. A possible compromise could involve mixed control and a package of mutual concessions, such as the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border and the lifting of certain sanctions. If implemented under international supervision, the project could become an important step toward peaceful coexistence, but it would also strengthen American influence in the region and provoke resistance from Russia and Iran.

Thus, the US proposal to manage the transport corridor is not merely an infrastructure project but part of a much larger geopolitical game. The South Caucasus is turning into an arena of competition between global powers, and the outcome of this struggle will determine the region’s future for decades. For Azerbaijan, this is an opportunity to consolidate its military and political gains in Nagorno-Karabakh. For Armenia, it represents a difficult choice between preserving sovereignty and pursuing economic opportunities. For the United States, it is a chance to strengthen its position in a strategic region where the interests of the West, Russia, Turkey, and Iran intersect.

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#AZERBAIJAN

16.07.2025 11:16