Iran-Azerbaijan "Araz Corridor" Bridge to Open in Late 2025

The head of the international relations department of the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development of Iran, Amin Tarfa, said in an interview with the ILNA agency that the opening of the new bridge in the "Araz" corridor is planned for the end of 2025. Tarfa noted that the Araks corridor is not a new route, but one that has existed for years. The construction of the new bridge will expand the capabilities of this route.

According to him, great progress has been made within the framework of the project on the Qaleh-Julfa road, which will connect Azerbaijan with Nakhichevan. "The construction of the bridge in the Qaleh-Aghband direction on the Azerbaijani side has already been completed. More than 70 percent of the construction work on the Iranian side has been completed, and it is expected that the new bridge will be put into operation at the end of this year," he emphasized. Answering questions about the so-called "Zangezur corridor," the Iranian official noted that "the Araz corridor passing through the territory of Iran remains an alternative and reliable route for Azerbaijan."

According to him, this road has been the main connecting line between Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan for years, and currently, the two countries continue to strengthen this route. Tarfa also noted that with the commissioning of the new bridge, the cargo transportation capacity of the route will also increase. Currently, about 250 trucks pass through this route daily. With the opening of the new bridge, it is planned to increase this figure.

The Iranian Fars news agency also writes that a joint Azerbaijani-Iranian industrial town will be created. This was announced by the Vice President of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, Hossein Pirmouezzin. According to him, it is planned to create a logistics port and a joint industrial town in the Bilasuvar free trade and industrial zone.

He noted that these projects will be implemented based on the agreements of the presidents of the two countries and the decision of the Commercial Economic Commission. Currently, the technical processes related to the implementation of the agreements are ongoing. Pirmouezzin stated that the commissioning of the Ardabil-Baku railway will open new opportunities for the export of agricultural products from the region. In his opinion, this line will simplify access to Russia and reduce logistics costs.

Pirmouezzin informed that a meeting of the Iran-Azerbaijan Commercial Economic Commission will be held in Tehran next week. Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev will also participate in the meeting.