Transport corridors and geography of interests Experts highlight benefits of Iran–Azerbaijan–Georgia route

Following a prolonged stagnation in Iran-Azerbaijan relations, the two countries are entering an active phase of economic and infrastructure cooperation. One of the key breakthroughs could be the agreement on the Iran–Azerbaijan–Georgia international transport corridor project, which would provide Iran with access to the Black Sea and European markets.

Senior Advisor to the Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Amin Taraffo, stated that after a three-year period of stagnation, there has been a revival in economic relations with Azerbaijan.

“Following a series of bilateral meetings and the joint economic commission in February 2025, significant progress was achieved in economic and transport ties. This process accelerated after the Iranian President’s visit to Baku in April 2025. The Minister of Roads and Urban Development is actively advancing all areas of bilateral cooperation—particularly in trade, energy, oil and gas, banking, and transport—aiming for a substantial increase in trade volume between the two countries.

The Minister’s proposal to establish a transit corridor linking Iran, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, presented during discussions with the President of Azerbaijan, marked another breakthrough. This initiative received strong support from Azerbaijani officials. The Minister’s efforts align with the shared membership of Iran, Azerbaijan, and Georgia in TRACECA,” he noted.

What will such a transport project offer the three countries from an economic perspective? It is likely to be especially significant for Iran, as it would grant Iranian goods access to the Black Sea and further into European markets.

Well-known analysts shared their insights on this development with Caliber.Az.

Russian expert on the South Caucasus Konstantin Tasits believes that opening transport communications in the South Caucasus benefits all regional countries.

“It allows for an increase in regional trade volumes and promotes the realisation of transit potential, as this region is geographically well-positioned. From west to east, it connects Asia and Europe, while from north to south, it links northern countries and Russia with the Middle East, South Asia, and other Global South states. Iran is also interested in unlocking these routes, gaining additional opportunities to transport its goods to global markets,” Tasits stated.

Azerbaijani transport logistics expert Rauf Aghamirzayev noted that the Iran–Azerbaijan–Georgia route has been discussed repeatedly over recent years.

“This route connects the Persian Gulf with Black Sea ports. Iran is keen to find the shortest access to the Black Sea ports. Previously, there were different opinions on this matter. For example, at one point, they discussed a project passing through Armenian territory. Work is still ongoing there, involving Iranian companies. In Syunik (Zangezur), they are building tunnels as part of one of the variants of the ‘North–South’ project (Tranche 4) with a total length of 32 kilometres.

However, there is also a route through Azerbaijani territory that is already operational. Here, Azerbaijan can offer Iran several options—not just one road, but several. These include a route via Astara, another via Bilasuvar, and a third through previously occupied territory. From the Azerbaijani side, this road is essentially already built; what remains is to complete the section on the Iranian side up to our border town of Aghband. There, a bridge over the border river Aras has already been constructed,” the expert explained in detail.

According to him, following the liberation of Karabakh and East Zangezur, Azerbaijan continues the construction of the Goris–Aghband highway and the railway line along the route Goris–Jabrayil–Minjivan–Aghband.

“Azerbaijan already has the capability to carry out both international road transport and multimodal transportation through its territory. After the construction of the railway segment of the Aras corridor and the Rasht–Astara section, there will be the possibility to transport goods by rail as well.

Today, Iran can deliver its cargo by road or multimodal transport to Astara and Minjivan, from where these goods can then be transported via Azerbaijan’s existing railway network to ports on the Black Sea.

I believe our infrastructure is attractive to Iran because it offers multiple entry and exit points across the borders, which minimises risks and allows for reliable transportation through Azerbaijani territory.

Throughout the South Caucasus, Azerbaijan’s infrastructure is the most prepared to receive and redirect cargo from various directions.

Currently, some sections are being completed, and work is underway to diversify the routes, so as not to rely on a single corridor.

I expect that all construction work on these sections will be fully completed within the next two years,” Aghamirzayev concluded.