A confidential memorandum obtained by Periodista Digital reveals a controversial agreement that would place Armenia’s Zangezur Corridor under US control for 99 years, effectively surrendering key national territory to US private military companies and facilitating unimpeded Azerbaijani access to Nakhchivan and Turkiye.
The document, titled “Memorandum of Understanding on the Creation of the ‘Trump Bridge’ Transport Corridor,” has reportedly been approved by Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the US, according to the Spanish newspaper.
It outlines the creation of a 42-kilometer economic and military corridor through Armenia’s Syunik region, along the Iranian border – a key demand of Azerbaijan following the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.
Although the agreement affirms Armenia’s sovereignty over the Syunik region, the corridor itself will be operated and secured by a licensed US private military company (PMC), which is expected to deploy approximately 1,000 personnel.
The PMC will be authorized to use force to “preserve the integrity of the corridor,” effectively placing it outside Armenian control.
Financially, the arrangement disproportionately favors Washington as the US management company will receive 40 percent of the revenue generated by the corridor, while Armenia will receive only 30 percent.
According to the report, the corridor’s militarization by US proxy forces also reflects broader strategic goals by establishing a permanent US foothold on Iran’s border. Though initially unarmed with heavy weaponry, the presence of US-aligned forces on the Armenia–Iran frontier marks a major geopolitical shift.
The memorandum has sparked outrage among some Armenians and members of the Armenian diaspora, with many calling Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s agreement to the terms an act of national betrayal.
Critics argue that the deal strips Armenia of its sovereignty while serving the strategic interests of the US and Turkiye, a long-time enemy and the perpetrator of a genocide against Armenians in the early 20th century.
France, long seen as a key ally of Armenia and co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, is expected to lose significant influence as a result of the corridor’s implementation.
According to Forbes, “Energy flows underscore the urgency” of Baku’s effort to establish a territorial connection to Turkiye. Gaining access to the Zangezur Corridor would allow Azerbaijan to expand its oil exports to Europe via Turkiye.
Europe continues to look for sources of oil and gas that can replace purchases from Russia amid the ongoing war with Ukraine.
“The IEA’s 2025 World Energy Outlook projects Europe needs 20 billion cubic meters more non-Russian gas by 2030. Normalized Armenia–Turkiye borders could enhance access to Caspian reserves, potentially cutting import costs by 10-15 percent for firms like BP,” Forbes added.