Reza Naderi, an international relations analyst and Eurasia researcher, stated in an interview with the website of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations: Given the geopolitical position of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Washington is trying to utilize this country’s energy and transit capacity to diversify global trade routes, reduce Europe’s dependence on Russia, and limit the influence of Iran and China in regional equations.
The international relations analyst and Eurasia researcher emphasized: The US strategy in the South Caucasus is part of the broader policy of containing the three independent powers of Iran, Russia, and China; therefore, it is necessary for Tehran, Moscow, and Beijing to, in turn, design coordinated regional mechanisms.
Naderi said: What Washington has introduced as the ‘TRIP’ plan or the ‘Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity’ is, in fact, part of the policy of reviving US influence around Russia and adjacent to Iran’s northern borders.
He noted: The Republic of Azerbaijan, due to its specific geopolitical position – meaning its borders with Iran and Russia and economic ties with China – has become a key region in the competition of major powers from Washington’s perspective.
This expert reminded: The United States is trying to use the transit and energy model of the Republic of Azerbaijan to create a link connecting East to West; a link that, from Washington’s view, can provide direct access to Central Asia while simultaneously bypassing the traditional routes associated with Iran and Russia.
This international relations analyst clarified: Since the Second Karabakh War, American influence in Baku has increased noticeably, and Washington, leveraging the post-war environment and Russia’s current weakness due to the war in Ukraine, has tried to define a new role for itself in the South Caucasus.
According to Naderi, this time, unlike in the past, America has relied on soft and economic tools instead of solely relying on military alliances.
He emphasized: Plans like ‘TRIP’ represent a targeted effort for the economic and infrastructural return of the United States to the region; an effort that is ostensibly introduced with the slogan of development and peace, but in practice, it counts as a form of geopolitical re-engineering to weaken the ties between Iran, Russia, and China.
This Eurasia researcher added: The US view of the Caucasus is not solely security-oriented; rather, it pursues a combination of economic, intelligence, and technological objectives.
He noted: Given the above considerations, Tehran must be vigilant about such trends and, by expanding economic cooperation with its northern neighbors, prevent the creation of monopolies in transit routes.

The Counter Strategy of Iran, China, and Russia; Cooperation for Synergy
Naderi further emphasized in the interview: It is essential that Tehran, Moscow, and Beijing adopt a more coordinated approach in the face of Washington’s strategy to revive its influence in Eurasia.
He clarified: The foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the South Caucasus can be based on several principles: first, preventing changes to the region’s geopolitical borders; second, maintaining balance between Baku and Yerevan; and third, strengthening economic and cultural presence in the region through official and sustainable channels.
Naderi noted: In recent months, Iran has tried to solidify its position in regional processes through constructive engagement by holding trilateral meetings with Russia and the Republic of Azerbaijan and within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Referring to the increase in China’s diplomatic activity in the Caucasus, he said: Beijing is now pursuing the ‘Belt and Road’ project through Kazakhstan, the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Georgia; however, China is also well aware that without cooperation with Iran, there will be no stable route connecting Central Asia to the Persian Gulf.
This expert noted: It is necessary for Iran to reach specific executive agreements with China and Russia so that the North-South corridor can be presented as a safer and more economical corridor.
Naderi reminded: The trilateral alliance of Iran, China, and Russia can play a deterrent role against the US strategy by focusing on common economic and transit interests.
In the final part of the interview, Naderi said: The current conditions, alongside threats, have also provided opportunities for the Islamic Republic of Iran.
He added: The shift in the balance of power in the South Caucasus and the relative decrease in Russia’s influence allow Iran to enhance its position in regional equations without directly involving itself in the competition among major powers, by utilizing multifaceted diplomacy.
He continued: Iran can use economic and cultural avenues to strengthen ties with countries in the region. Proposing the creation of joint industrial zones in the northwestern borders, participating in the reconstruction of Armenia’s infrastructure, and cooperating in clean energy projects with the Republic of Azerbaijan are among the capacities that, if managed intelligently, can increase Iran’s strategic depth.
Naderi emphasized: The future of Eurasia depends on constructive competition among power blocs, and the Islamic Republic of Iran must, while maintaining its strategic independence, expand its relations with China, Russia, and Central Asian countries within the framework of the Look to the East policy.
He noted: Iran’s grand strategy must be based on leveraging new opportunities to increase national power and play an active role in the emerging Eurasian order.