Iran and Armenia closed their 19th Joint Economic Committee meeting in Yerevan on November 10 with a cooperation document covering transport, energy, infrastructure and culture. Seyed Hamid Pourmohammadi, Iran’s vice president and head of the Planning and Budget Organization, signed for Tehran; Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan signed for Yerevan. Both sides stressed that cultural and social ties underpin closer economic relations. Pourmohammadi thanked Armenia for hosting and committee members for their efforts.
Speaking to economic actors in Yerevan, Pourmohammadi said relations were “very favorable” and that both governments were focused on expansion. A second bridge over the Aras River, to be built by Iran alongside the existing crossing, is due to break ground within a month after studies. The Jolfa–Nordooz road will be ready by year-end, complementing Tabriz–Nordooz, while the border terminal will gain several hectares by next year. To ease truck congestion, Iran’s fuel station has been moved 20 km from the border; a station for Armenian trucks is planned within six months. Customs work is underway, and talks with the Jolfa Free Zone aim to create a backland service site for traders.
Nordooz currently handles 300 trucks daily; Iran wants 500. Pourmohammadi acknowledged complaints over queues, business cards, foreign-exchange commitments and customs, and said Iran’s ambassador could report problems directly to his organization. He predicted Nordooz would become Iran’s busiest land trade border within 12–18 months.
In talks with Grigoryan, both sides linked regional stability and removed communication obstacles to new opportunities. Grigoryan cited political trust and mutual interests as a foundation for elevating ties to a strategic level, with trade turnover growth noted. Both sides also stressed the high capacity for further trade and economic relations. The two sides exchanged views on regional communications.
