An abandoned station, a few rusted carriages, and mere metres of track are all that remain of a Soviet-era railway in southern Armenia. This derelict site, however, is poised to become a pivotal point for a new era of peace and prosperity. The “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity,” or Tripp, aims to create a crucial transport link through Armenian territory, following its entire border with Iran. This ambitious project, brokered by the US president, is intended to connect Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhchivan, potentially redefining the region’s geopolitical landscape.
Local journalist Marut Vanyan observes the scene, noting the fragments of a monument to a communist hero and a damaged statue nearby. “We are on the Trump route, also known as Crossroads of Peace, the Silk Road, and the Zangezur Corridor,” he says, adding with a hint of scepticism, “But so far, none of this looks American.”
The Tripp proposal is central to Trump’s efforts to resolve the long-standing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which originated over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. Following Azerbaijan’s recapture of the region in 2023, which led to the displacement of nearly all its ethnic Armenian population, a fragile peace has taken hold. The US president has championed the initiative, envisioning significant investment from American companies under a 99-year deal, promising economic benefits for all involved nations.
However, the reality on the ground highlights the immense challenges ahead. Building this vital transport link from scratch is just one hurdle; political complexities run far deeper. Trump’s involvement risks altering the delicate balance of power in a region long considered within Russia’s sphere of influence. Meanwhile, hardliners in Iran have voiced strong opposition, threatening to obstruct the project.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh has a history of displacement, with hundreds of thousands displaced from both sides. Vanyan, himself a refugee from the 2023 conflict, settled in Armenia’s Syunik province, now a flashpoint between the two neighbours. Azerbaijan’s demand for a corridor through this region to Nakhchivan, dubbed the “Zangezur corridor,” had previously led to border clashes, raising fears of a renewed war.
Trump’s intervention in August 2025, following a meeting with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, offered a potential breakthrough. The agreement, though short on specifics and timelines, has been hailed by both leaders as a critical step towards lasting peace. This initiative promises “unimpeded connectivity” for Azerbaijan while ensuring Armenia’s sovereignty, with a US-managed private company overseeing the route.
The project’s success also hinges on navigating the complex web of international interests. Russia, which has long sought to re-establish this transport link, still maintains a border presence in the region, even as its influence wanes. The EU sees Tripp as a crucial component of a broader “middle corridor” aimed at connecting Europe with Central Asia and China, bypassing Russia. Turkey, too, stands to gain, seeking a direct link to Azerbaijan through Armenia, which would further bolster its regional influence.
Despite the competing interests and the current state of the abandoned infrastructure, Armenia’s government expresses optimism, aiming to transform the region into a peaceful crossroads for trade and cooperation. As Vanyan notes with a hopeful smile, the promise of significant investment and renewed trade offers a compelling vision for the future, a future where peace, for now, seems to have silenced the guns along the border.