Iranian Deputy Minister: 'It is necessary to create an alternative route as soon as possible, so the road no longer passes through Azerbaijani territory.'

Iran is ready to participate in the construction of a new transit road through Armenian territory to Georgia. This was stated by Iran's Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Heyroudollah Khademi.

"Armenia is planning to create a new transit route from Iran to Georgia. We have announced our readiness to participate in the construction of this road," TASS news agency quoted him as saying.

According to the official, "this involves a new corridor, apart from the road that serves as an alternative to the Goris-Kapan highway and which the parties have also agreed upon." He noted that there is currently a route connecting Iran's East Azerbaijan Province with Yerevan.

"Approximately 21 kilometers of this road, according to the latest changes, is considered part of Azerbaijan," the deputy minister added. He pointed out that "the Azerbaijani side charges a fee for crossing this short section, which has only one checkpoint."

"It is necessary to create an alternative route as soon as possible, so the road no longer passes through Azerbaijani territory, which is also crucial for the Armenians and meets their needs," Khademi stated.