The Rail "Canal": Instead of a waterway, Iran is focusing on the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal rail and road network. By late 2025, a key rail terminal at the Astara border is expected to be completed to facilitate cargo transit from the Persian Gulf to Russia
Geopolitical Chessboard: The existence of these two separate, competing transport initiatives (TRIPP vs. INSTC) has turned the South Caucasus into a "regional chessboard". Iran views the U.S.-led TRIPP as a threat that could sever its link with Armenia and has vowed to block it, while the U.S. aims to reduce Russian and Iranian influence.
Peace Process Link: The only way the rail projects "solve" the problem is if all parties agree to open all communication routes simultaneously under the "Crossroads of Peace" initiative, which is Armenia's preferred solution for regional connectivity that respects all national sovereignties. The U.S. deal addresses this by allowing Armenia to maintain sovereignty over the TRIPP corridor, a key Armenian demand.
So here we see a joint agreement between the SCO and Interpol is already in place and might need to be expanded to satisfy all parties.
To address Armenia's security and law enforcement challenges, a Joint Transnational Security & Border Integrity Forum would be the most effective structure to bridge the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and Interpol.
1. Primary Objectives
Integrated Border Management: Coordinate between Interpol’s Integrated Border Management Task Force and the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) to secure Armenia’s new transit corridors (TRIPP) against smuggling and human trafficking.
Counter-Terrorism & Extremism: Leverage Interpol’s Project Basic (border security training) alongside SCO military intelligence to prevent regional spillover from neighboring conflicts.
Cyber-Security & Infrastructure Protection: Establish a tripartite cybersecurity cell to protect the high-speed rail and fiber optic lines being built under the 2025 peace deal from state-sponsored and criminal hacking.
2. Strategic Value
Bypassing Political Blocks: Since Armenia is an SCO "Dialogue Partner" and a full Interpol member, this conference allows Armenia to receive Western technical expertise (via Interpol) and Eastern geopolitical security guarantees (via SCO) simultaneously.
Neutralizing Foreign Interference: By involving Interpol, the conference ensures that security protocols for Armenian transit routes remain transparent and under international police standards, rather than solely under Russian or Azerbaijani military oversight.
3. Proposed Participants
From Armenia: Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Security Service (NSS).
From Interpol: The Global Complex for Innovation (IGCI) and regional bureaus.
From SCO: Representatives from the RATS Executive Committee based in Tashkent.
Observers: The European Union (EEAS) and the United States (Department of Justice) to ensure alignment with the 2025 peace accord.
4. Implementation Link
Armenia can formally propose this during a relevant international forum or summit, framing it as an initiative to protect crucial investments now flowing into the South Caucasus.