• Iran opposes the planned corridor linking Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhchivan through Armenia.
• The corridor, referred to as the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity," poses security risks near Tehran's border.
• Iranian officials declare readiness to block the corridor, emphasizing military preparedness.
• The deal represents a potential shift in regional alliances, favoring US interests over traditional allies like Russia.
• Azerbaijan and Armenia leaders described the peace agreement as a historic milestone towards lasting peace.

Iran has decisively rejected the creation of a transit corridor as part of the recent peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which has been brokered by the United States. Named the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity," this corridor is intended to connect Azerbaijan directly to its Nakhchivan exclave, impacting Iran's borders. Iranian officials, particularly Ali Akbar Velayati, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stated that they will not allow this project to proceed, calling it "an impossible notion" that would jeopardize regional stability, according to Channel News Asia and India Times.

Velayati asserted that Iran's measures would be taken with or without the involvement of Russia, indicating a potential rift in strategic alliances. He warned that the corridor could become a "graveyard for Trump’s mercenaries", further emphasizing Iran's military readiness in the region. The Iranian regime fears the corridor allows a foreign military presence that could undermine their national interests and territorial integrity, as noted by Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The planned corridor, which runs close to Iran's borders, is poised to facilitate closer economic ties between Azerbaijan and Turkey, further isolating Iran. US President Donald Trump championed the agreement as a groundbreaking shift in the decades-long conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, aiming to enhance energy exports from the region. This deal sidelined traditional influences like Russia, raising questions about the future of geopolitical dynamics in the South Caucasus, according to India Times, Reuters, and Channel News Asia.

The deal has sparked mixed reactions, with Azerbaijan and Armenia heralding it as a historic milestone towards peace after decades of conflict. Both leaders credited Trump's mediation, with statements emphasizing the transformation of regional relationships and transportation infrastructure that could secure peace. However, the stability of the agreement remains tenuous, as it hinges on various unresolved issues, including regional military arrangements and customs regulations, as outlined by Al Jazeera and Reuters.