Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a historic peace agreement at the White House on August 8, 2025, brokered by the United States. This accord formally ends the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and normalizes relations between the two nations. A key provision grants the U.S. exclusive 99-year development rights for the Zangezur corridor.
The agreement was signed by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump. It includes provisions for border delimitation and enhanced security cooperation. The Zangezur corridor, a land strip through Armenian territory connecting Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave, will be developed by the U.S. into a crucial transit route, including plans for rail, oil, gas, and fiber optic infrastructure. It has been officially designated as the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity."
The development of the Zangezur corridor is a significant geopolitical and economic undertaking, poised to become a critical link in the Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, connecting Asia and Europe. This initiative is expected to bolster regional trade and connectivity, creating new economic opportunities for Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey, while potentially altering trade dynamics involving Iran and Russia.
The path to this agreement follows decades of conflict, notably the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that intensified after the Soviet Union's dissolution. Azerbaijan regained full control over Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023, leading to the displacement of a significant portion of the region's ethnic Armenian population. The agreement also includes separate deals between the U.S. and both Armenia and Azerbaijan to foster cooperation in energy, technology, and the economy. The U.S. withdrawal from the OSCE Minsk Group marks a shift in the international diplomatic landscape. This accord represents a significant diplomatic success, potentially ushering in an era of enhanced regional stability and economic integration.