The proposed «Trump Route» could pave the way for American private military companies (PMCs) and intelligence infrastructure to establish a presence in Armenia near the Iranian border, according to Alexey Shevtsov, deputy secretary of the Security Council of Russia.
Shevtsov linked his concerns to the planned management structure of the transport corridor. Security along the route is expected to be handled by a new joint US-Armenian company, in which the United States would hold a 74% stake and Armenia 26%. Border and customs controls would remain under Yerevan’s authority.
In Shevtsov’s assessment, this arrangement could bring American PMCs into Armenia and lead to the deployment of US intelligence or other infrastructure within several hundred meters of Iran. He argued that such a presence would raise questions about the security of both the corridor itself and the cargo moving through it.
The Russian Security Council official also focused on the project’s legal framework. He said the US side could gain tools to influence how the route operates, including the handling of specific shipments. According to Shevtsov, restrictions could potentially be imposed under sanctions targeting particular companies or other participants in cargo operations.
The published agreement states that the shareholder deal for the joint company will be governed by US federal law and the laws of New York State.
Shevtsov also questioned the reliability of the future corridor, citing Washington’s foreign policy and recent US actions around the Strait of Hormuz.
As a simpler option for restoring rail links between Armenia and Iran, he pointed to the resumption of transit through Azerbaijan’s Nakhichevan. He said such a step would require, at minimum, a political decision.
A functioning railway would also need a guaranteed and stable flow of cargo. Shevtsov stressed that without sufficient freight volumes, operating the line would not pay for itself.