A few days ago a photo of an Azerbaijani police station located on the Vorotan section of the Goris-Kapan highway started circulating on the Internet.

The National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia issued an explanation that the Azerbaijani police are checking truck drivers with Iranian license plates and cargo documents in the Azerbaijani-controlled Eyvazli settlement near Vorotan.

Another photo appeared on the Internet yesterday showing that the Azerbaijani police were checking trucks from Iran and charging drivers money.

In an interview with Civilnet Iranian drivers reported that Azerbaijani policemen demand them to pay $130 in cash to travel through the territory of Azerbaijan.

Later, the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan commented on these rumors․ “According to article 210 of the Tax Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, vehicles of foreign states entering and leaving the country are subject to the road tax.”

Infocom sent a request to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Armenia to clarify reports about the inspection of trucks coming from Iran in the Azerbaijani police station.

In response to our request, the embassy informed us that Iran has been closely following developments in the Caucasus region in recent months and, in particular, since September 12, cases of charging money from Iranian cars traveling from Iran to Armenia.

“Iran is trying to use its opportunities for regional development, peace and stability with the participation of all its neighbors. The agenda includes the development of relations with friendly Armenia and the elimination of obstacles and problems,” the Embassy said in its response.

According to the Embassy, relations with neighbors are a priority for Iran․ “Relations with neighbors in the government of President Ebrahim Raisi are one of the main directions of foreign policy. Therefore, Tehran will expand relations with all neighboring countries with a balanced but primary priority.”

Anna Sahakyan