US, NATO Push Trans-Caspian Energy Corridor to Sideline Russia and Iran
The United States and its allies are intensifying plans to create a Trans-Caspian energy corridor, aiming to link Central Asian energy supplies directly to Europe while circumventing Russia and Iran. This development follows US airstrikes in Iran and recent Ukrainian operations against Iranian shipping. The project will incorporate pipelines through Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Türkiye, connecting to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, with an anticipated capacity of 50 to 60 million tons annually, according to supporter Nurul Rakhimbekov. While the C5+1 summit has backed the initiative, it faces opposition from Russia and Iran, which is contemplating the 2018 Convention on the Caspian Sea's legal status.
Key facts
- US struck targets in Iran's Gilan Province on July 23-24, damaging Bandar Anzali port.
- Ukraine attacked an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea on July 25.
- The Trans-Caspian corridor aims to connect Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to Europe via Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Türkiye.
- The Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline is seen as a secure Russia-free route.
- Kazakhstan's oil exports via the CPC have been disrupted by Ukrainian attacks.
- Turkmenistan's President Serdar Berdimuhammedov visited Baku in June, signaling interest in the Middle Corridor.
- US Senator Steve Daines toured Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan in July to support closer collaboration.
- Iran's Strategic Council of Foreign Relations condemned the Zangezur corridor as NATO's 'Turan corridor'.
- Iran is considering ratifying the 2018 Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea.
- The C5+1 summit endorsed the Trans-Caspian Trade Route and its integration with TRIPP.
Entities
Institutions
- US
- NATO
- EU
- Israel
- Türkiye
- Iran
- Russia
- Ukraine
- Azerbaijan
- Armenia
- Kazakhstan
- Turkmenistan
- Center for Global Civic and Political Strategies
- Energy Intelligence
- Strategic Council of Foreign Relations
- ATU University
- The Cradle
- Tabnak
- Allameh Tabatabai University
- Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC)
- Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline
- Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP)
- Zangezur Corridor
- C5+1
- Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea
Locations
- Iran
- Gilan Province
- Bandar Anzali
- Caspian Sea
- Ukraine
- Black Sea
- Russia
- Novorossiysk
- Kazakhstan
- Türkiye
- Ceyhan
- Azerbaijan
- Baku
- Armenia
- Georgia
- Tbilisi
- Turkmenistan
- Ashgabat
- Montana
- United States
- Washington
- Moscow
- Tehran
- Aktau
- Nakhchivan
- Europe
- Central Asia
- Caucasus
- Middle East