Iran and Azerbaijan Sign a Customs Cooperation Memorandum, Urging Completion of the Astara and Nakhchivan Border Bridges

The heads of the Iranian and Azerbaijani customs administrations met at the Bilasuvar zero border point on Friday, 31 July 2026, at the head of high-level delegations and signed a memorandum of understanding on expanding customs cooperation. According to Mehr News Agency, the two sides agreed on new programmes for developing and facilitating trade and transit between the two countries.

Foroud Asgari, deputy economy minister and head of Iran's Customs Administration, described infrastructure problems as one of the main obstacles to expanding trade and transit flows, saying that Azerbaijan's completion of the bridges under construction at the exit borders linked to Astara and Nakhchivan would strengthen infrastructure and ease truck movement. He identified border congestion and obstacles to the smooth passage of trucks as the main problem holding back trade between the two countries.

Shahin Bagirov, head of Azerbaijan's State Revenue Committee customs body, said trade between Iran and Azerbaijan is important and that both sides take a positive view, adding that they would work harder to expand trade and transit exchanges. He welcomed the establishment of round-the-clock online contact with the head of Iran's Customs Administration to resolve obstacles quickly.