Talks on Russian gas transit through Azerbaijan to Iran move forward, but Baku remains silent

The possible transit of Russian gas to Iran via Azerbaijan has again drawn attention after Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev discussed the issue with Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Mehrdad Bazrpash, during his visit to Tehran, according to Iranian media.

Talks also covered joint oilfield development, the inclusion of Nakhchivan in the gas swap agreement between Iran and Azerbaijan, and the expansion of power networks between the three countries.

Iranian officials said representatives of Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia plan trilateral talks in October, with a joint working group to be set up to address logistics, transport and customs.

The deal on gas transit was signed in Moscow in January during Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit, envisaging annual flows of 1.8–2 bcm in the first stage, with potential expansion to 50 bcm through a new pipeline.

Baku has not issued an official position on its role in the project, and tensions with Moscow raise uncertainty over Azerbaijan’s stance. Iranian officials say most technical and organizational issues have been agreed, with only pricing unresolved. If settled, deliveries could start soon.