Azerbaijan denies causing problems for Iranian trucks at Astara border checkpoint

The Astara customs checkpoint continues to operate in an intensified mode, and more trucks have crossed from Iran to Azerbaijan in the last ten days than in previous days, Report informs, citing the State Customs Committee (SCC).

"Yesterday some media outlets reported, citing Seyyed Jalalifari, a member of the board of directors of the Iran-Russia Joint Chamber of Commerce, that the Astara customs checkpoint was overcrowded on the Iranian side, alleging that it was done deliberately by Azerbaijan against the background of the strained Iranian-Azerbaijani relations. Such information is wide of the mark and untrue," the statement reads.

Thus, a computer system failure on the Iranian side for 10 hours from October 15 to 16 and the failure to ensure the passage of trucks during this period, as well as long queues for loading and unloading operations in fruit and vegetable warehouses in the Iranian city of Astara caused congestion.

"It is unacceptable and unfortunate to blame Azerbaijan for the congestion, caused by the problems on the Iranian side, and to politicize it," the State Customs Committee added.