The United States, represented by Senator Marco Rubio, is moving forward with plans for a trade corridor—branded by supporters as TRIPP—that would link Azerbaijan's mainland to its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenian territory. Armenia agreed to the proposal after Azerbaijan's 2023 military gains, and proponents say the corridor will spur economic activity without undermining sovereignty. Iran has expressed concern, and Armenia's prime minister has reassured Tehran the corridor would remain under Armenian control. Further implementation details and regional guarantees are still to be negotiated.
US Advances 'TRIPP' Trade Corridor Through Armenia To Link Azerbaijan With Nakhchivan
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press as he greets Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan (SAUL LOEB)(SAUL LOEB/AFP/AFP)
Senator Marco Rubio said Tuesday the United States will press ahead with plans to establish a trade corridor through Armenian territory that would link mainland Azerbaijan with its separated exclave of Nakhchivan. Rubio made the remarks after meeting in Washington with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, following Yerevan's acceptance of the proposal after Azerbaijan's 2023 military offensive.
What The Plan Would Do
The proposed route—branded by supporters as the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" (TRIPP)—would create a transport and trade link between Azerbaijan's main territory and Nakhchivan, an exclave that borders Turkey and Iran but is otherwise disconnected from the rest of Azerbaijan. Backers say the corridor would boost regional trade and economic activity while respecting national borders.
US Statement And Implementation
Speaking with Mirzoyan, Rubio said, "The TRIPP arrangement really is going to turn out to be a model for the world of how you can open yourself up to economic activity and prosperity without in any way questioning or undermining your sovereignty and your territorial integrity." He added that proponents would now "work on the implementation" of the agreement.
Regional Concerns
The TRIPP concept and the prospect of a larger U.S. role in the region have raised concern in neighboring Iran, which shares a border with Nakhchivan and has historically maintained close ties with Armenia. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan earlier reassured Iran's leadership that any corridor would remain under Armenian sovereignty.
Background: For nearly three decades, ethnic Armenian authorities controlled Nagorno-Karabakh, a region inside Azerbaijan. In 2023 Azerbaijan retook the territory during a rapid military operation, a development that helped pave the way for new arrangements between Yerevan and Baku.
The proposal remains politically sensitive: supporters portray it as a pragmatic economic initiative, while critics worry about the implications for regional security, influence, and the role of outside powers. Further technical and diplomatic work will be required to finalize routes, oversight, and guarantees for sovereignty.
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