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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.

While appearing improbable, this derelict stretch of railway in the Caucasus region has been selected to transform into an emblem of diplomatic peace by America's leader, referred to as the Tripp initiative for International Peace and Prosperity.

Dispersed throughout are remains of a statue from a monument to a Soviet-era figure. A female statue is missing an arm.

"We are on the Trump route, also known as Crossroads of Peace, the Silk Road, and the regional passageway," says Marut Vanyan. "However currently none of this looks American."

Peace Negotiations

This constitutes a longstanding conflict the US president asserts to have successfully resolved, through an agreement between Armenia and its historical rival Azerbaijan.

The proposal outlines American corporations establishing presence under a 99-year deal to construct the 43km route through Armenia's sovereign land along its entire border with Iran, establishing a corridor linking Azerbaijan to its separated territory of Nakhchivan.

A railway, highway and energy conduits are all promised and Trump has spoken of companies spending "significant funds, that will financially advantage the three participating countries".

On the ground, the magnitude of the undertaking becomes apparent. This connectivity project will have to be built completely new, but diplomatic obstacles significantly exceed financial considerations.

International Consequences

Trump's intervention might transform the geopolitics of an area that Russia claims as its regional domain. Hardliners in Tehran are also worried and are threatening to block the project.

The Tripp proposal plays a crucial role in resolving a conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan that started over Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijani territory with historical Armenian presence.

During 2023, Azerbaijan recaptured the contested area, and virtually the entire ethnic Armenians were displaced. This didn't represent the first such expulsion in this conflict: during the 1990s half a million Azerbaijani citizens became refugees.

Global Participants

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

For years, Russian authorities attempted towards restoring the passage that now bears an American president's name.

Despite Moscow's suggestion for Russian security forces to protect the planned route has been rejected, they still patrol the stretch of the Armenian-Iranian frontier that has been chosen for the peace corridor.

Armenia's Syunik region is also a key hub for international trade, and commercial vehicles and traders from Iran are a familiar sight. Iranian construction companies are constructing recent infrastructure that will intersect the planned corridor.

This border waterway that divides Iranian and Armenian territory represents the exact path the route is set follow.

It is unclear 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 increased European presence in Armenia's southern territories.

French authorities initiated military equipment transfers to Armenian leadership and established diplomatic representation in Syunik. European Union observers is deployed to the region, and the future Trump route is seen by the EU as component of an alternative route connecting Europe to Asian markets and bypassing Russia.

Ankara shows interest to benefit from opportunities arising from diminished Moscow presence.

Turkish officials negotiate with Armenia to establish diplomatic ties and expressed endorsement for Tripp, which would establish a direct link from Turkey to Azerbaijan through its exclave.

Yerevan's administration shows composure about multiple international stakes. Authorities aspire for a "International Peace Junction" where every neighboring nation will co-operate.

"They say everything will be fine and that there will be billions of euros, modern infrastructure and commercial relations involving Iran, America, Europe, Turkey and Azerbaijan," Marut Vanyan says while expressing skepticism.

A formal peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia has not yet been signed, but one thing is clear: following the American summit, no gunfire has been fired on their shared frontier.

Trump's intervention has brought at least temporary relief to residents who long experienced anxiety of renewed fighting.