NEW EASTERN OUTLOOK 🌐 (@NEO_Journal)

🇮🇷🚇Reasons for Tehran's increased interest in the Aras Corridor ➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿ The prospects for the Aras Corridor's competition with TRIPP and the future of Iran's position in the South Caucasus economic corridors depend on geopolitical developments, effective implementation, and Iran's domestic capacity in infrastructure development and corridor diplomacy. ✏️Samyar Rostami is a political observer and senior researcher in international relations. ➡️The South Caucasus has become one of the main centers of geopolitical and geoeconomic competition in Eurasia. Iran has significant potential due to its location at the intersection of north-south and east-west routes. After independence, direct connections between Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan were severed. Iran became the main transit route between mainland Azerbaijan, Nakhchivan, and Turkey. On October 9, 2023, Tehran and Baku signed an agreement to create the "Aras Corridor"—a 107-kilometer road and rail transit corridor from Iran's East Azerbaijan province to Nakhchivan, bypassing Armenia. While Armenian officials have repeatedly assured Iran that the TRIPP plan will not pose any threat to the Iran-Armenia border, from Iran's perspective, the plan could create border, trade, transit, and geopolitical challenges in one of the most sensitive geopolitical regions. ➡️Iran is the only country in BRICS and West Asia simultaneously located on three major Eurasian transport axes, connecting them to the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the global maritime network. The "Trump Path for International Peace and Prosperity" (TRIPP) was formalized by the US and Armenia in January 2026. The US-Israeli war against Iran has increased Iranian sensitivities towards TRIPP near Iran's northern borders. The long-term US presence for 99 years, US company participation in construction and management, and transfer of control are worrisome for Iran. The Aras Corridor is Iran's strategic response to changes in transit equations of its neighbors—Tehran will play a significant role in neutralizing negative consequences of some Western projects. 🟦Turkey announced support for TRIPP in January 2026. Normalization between Armenia and Turkey will facilitate TRIPP implementation. Baku has emphasized the Aras Corridor as a major initiative—Tehran is more serious about its early construction. Economic benefits: the safest route between Nakhchivan and Baku; better transport of Iranian cargoes through Armenia to Black Sea ports; employment boom in border areas; and enhancing Iran's position in global transit. Physical progress of the entire road project has reached 50 percent—construction of 20 tunnels with approximately 9 kilometers length will enable exploitation of 60 kilometers by year's end. The railway line is more delayed—50 kilometers completed so far, requiring more support and financing. Prospects depend on geopolitical developments, effective implementation, Iran's domestic capacity, and corridor diplomacy. READ MORE #ArasCorridor #Iran #Azerbaijan #TRIPP #SouthCaucasus #Geopolitics #CorridorDiplomacy ✅@NewEasternOutlook