Pezeshkian bets on Azerbaijan to save imports

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has given the government a strategic directive to reorient the country's import flows by actively utilizing the transit and trade capabilities of neighboring states, primarily Azerbaijan, Russia, and Pakistan. The decision was made amid growing restrictions at southern border crossings, which have traditionally handled a significant portion of Iranian imports.

As reported by BAKU.WS with reference to the Iranian news agency IRNA, Pezeshkian announced this directive following an emergency meeting with key Cabinet members and the head of the Central Bank of Iran.

"The President emphasized the need to maximize the potential of the country's northern ports, develop alternative trade corridors, and utilize the capabilities of neighboring countries, including Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Russia, to secure and import certain essential goods, and called for accelerating the implementation of relevant agreements in this area," the official statement from the presidential press service noted.

Notably, Pezeshkian declared his readiness to personally reach out to the leaders of neighboring states and regional partners to eliminate any obstacles to the supply of essential goods and medicines in the shortest possible time.

During the meeting, the current situation regarding the import of basic goods, medicines, and critically important resources for the country was examined in detail. The Minister of Economy presented a report according to which, as a result of consultations already conducted with neighboring states, it had been possible to activate and strengthen the capabilities of a significant number of land border crossings and alternative transport routes to simplify and increase import volumes.

President Pezeshkian called for accelerating the implementation of all previously reached agreements in the areas of trade and transport, which could give new impetus to bilateral and multilateral projects in the region.