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A deserted terminal, a few rusted carriages and a dozen metres of track constitute the only remnants of former Soviet railroad in Armenia's southern region.

It may seem unlikely, this neglected section of railway in the Caucasus region has been selected to become a symbol of diplomatic peace by the US president, referred to as the Tripp initiative for Global Stability and Economic Growth.

Dispersed throughout are remains of a statue from a memorial to a communist hero. A woman's sculpture has lost one limb.

"We stand upon the Trump route, alternatively called Peace Junction, the ancient trade route, and the Zangezur Corridor," says Marut Vanyan. "However currently nothing here appears Western."

Regional Conflict Resolution

This represents a longstanding conflict Trump claims to have brought to an end, through an agreement between Armenia and its historical rival Azerbaijan.

The proposal outlines American corporations moving in under a 99-year deal to construct the 26-mile corridor through Armenia's sovereign land along its entire border with Iran, establishing a passageway linking Azerbaijan to its separated territory of Nakhchivan.

Rail transport, motorway and pipelines are all promised and Trump has spoken of companies spending "significant funds, which will economically benefit all three of our nations".

At the site, the scale of the challenge is clear. This connectivity project must be constructed from scratch, but diplomatic obstacles significantly exceed economic issues.

International Consequences

The American involvement could reshape international relations of an area that Moscow considers as its sphere of influence. Conservative factions in Iran are also worried and are threatening to block the project.

This peace initiative plays a crucial role in resolving longstanding tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan that started over Nagorno-Karabakh, a part of Azerbaijan with historical Armenian presence.

In 2023, Azerbaijani forces regained the disputed region, and virtually the entire Armenian population fled their homes. This didn't represent the initial displacement in these hostilities: in the 1990s over 500,000 Azerbaijanis were displaced.

Global Participants

American diplomatic efforts became possible because of Russia's weakened position in this strategic region.

Over time, Russian authorities attempted towards restoring the passage that now bears US presidential designation.

Although Russia's proposal for its FSB border troops to protect the planned route was declined, Russian units continue monitoring the stretch of the Armenian-Iranian frontier that has been chosen for the peace corridor.

Armenia's Syunik region is also an important center for its exports, and businessmen and trucks from Iran commonly appear. Persian engineering firms are constructing recent infrastructure that will intersect the planned corridor.

This border waterway that separates the Islamic Republic and Armenia represents the exact path the route is set follow.

Remains uncertain the manner in which American and Persian corporations will co-exist in Armenia, given recent US involvement in the Israel‑Iran war.

International Collaboration

There is also growing Western involvement in Armenia's southern territories.

French authorities initiated military equipment transfers to Armenian leadership and has opened a consulate in Syunik. An EU monitoring mission operates within the region, and the future Trump route is seen by the EU as part of a "middle corridor" linking it with Asian markets and bypassing Russia.

Ankara shows interest to capitalize on opportunities arising from waning Russian influence.

Ankara is in talks with Armenia to normalise relations and expressed endorsement for the peace initiative, which would establish immediate connectivity from Turkish territory to Azerbaijan through the separated region.

Yerevan's administration shows composure about the various competing interests. Authorities aspire for a "Crossroads of Peace" where all regional powers can collaborate.

"They say conditions will improve and that there will be billions of euros, new roads and commercial relations involving Iran, America, Europe, Turkey and Azerbaijan," the journalist comments while expressing skepticism.

A formal peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia remains unsigned, but certain facts emerge: since the Washington meeting, no gunfire has occurred on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.

The presidential involvement has provided some immediate respite to those who for years have lived in fear of resumed hostilities.