Azerbaijan, Iran plan power line linking East Zangazur and Nakhchivan via Iran

Azerbaijan and Iran plan to build a power transmission line linking Azerbaijan’s East Zangazur economic region with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic via Iranian territory, officials said after a meeting between Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev and Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadeghi in Baku.

Both sides expressed confidence that the project would enhance regional energy security and deepen bilateral cooperation in the electricity sector.

The meeting also covered the expansion of economic ties. In 2024, bilateral trade increased by 32%. Officials highlighted strong potential for further cooperation in trade, investment, transport, energy, oil and gas, agriculture, and humanitarian sectors.

Cargo traffic between the two countries rose by 20% in 2024, while transit shipments grew by more than 23%.

The two sides emphasized the importance of cooperation on developing the North–South and East–West transport corridors. Discussions included construction of the Astara freight terminal and a new road-pedestrian bridge over the Astara River on the border.

They also discussed establishing road and rail links between Aghband (Azerbaijan) and Kalala (Iran), along with the necessary border and customs infrastructure.

Officials said new routes under development – such as Aghband–Jabrayil–Aghdam–Yevlakh–Georgia and Aghband–Lachin–Kalbajar–Ganja–Georgia – will boost regional cargo and passenger traffic and become key links between the Persian Gulf and the Black Sea.

N.Tebrizli