ArmInfo. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) Masoud Pezeshkian participated in the opening of the Armenian-Iranian business forum.
The forum aims to promote deepening and diversifying trade and economic ties between Armenia and Iran, creating new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation, implementing joint projects, stimulating investment flows, exchanging technological experience, and establishing partnerships. During the opening of the forum, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that economic relations and their development play an important role in enhancing bilateral ties between the states. In this context, the head of government noted with satisfaction that close political relations create the necessary environment for intensifying cooperation between the business circles of Armenia and Iran. He recalled the common goal of increasing the volume of bilateral trade to $1 billion, and then to $3 billion.
"In recent years, the trade turnover between Armenia and Iran has demonstrated stable growth. Last year, it amounted to $748 million, increasing by almost 6%. In the first half of 2025, this figure reached $346 million, indicating continued progress. We are seeing an annual increase in the import bar: in the first six months of this year alone, imports from Iran increased by more than 10%, reaching $300 million. As for exports, despite a certain decrease, they still include goods such as electricity, copper concentrate and agricultural products. Based on this, we must focus on building not only trade, but also joint production," Pashinyan noted. He also highlighted the importance of developing cross-border infrastructure in energy, transport and logistics, which he believes aligns with the government's "Crossroads of Peace" initiative. According to Pashinyan, Iranian companies are involved in its implementation. In particular, the construction of a 32- kilometer section of the Agarak-Kajaran road is being carried out by an Iranian company. "The <Crossroads of Peace" project aims to establish additional connections between the North and the South, the East and the West. Given Armenia's strategic location and the policy of diversifying external relations, our country can serve as a gateway for Iran to both the EAEU countries and the EU member states.
In turn, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian noted that one of the main objectives of today's discussions was to enhance trade between the two countries, as well as to address any existing issues or obstacles that investors and representatives of the industrial sector may face. The Iranian President emphasized that important agreements were reached on all topics discussed in order to create a platform for cooperation between investors and representatives of the trade sector. According to Pezeshkian, achieving a bilateral trade volume of $3 billion is a completely realistic goal. In this context, he especially noted the efforts of the governments of both countries aimed at simplifying this process.
"The rest depends on you: producers, investors and representatives of industry. If you set more ambitious goals, then the work will be more extensive," the Iranian president noted. Note that according to the RA Statistical Committee, the foreign trade turnover between Armenia and Iran in the first half of this year increased by 6%, totaling $342.5 million. However, exports decreased by 14% to $45.5 million, while imports grew by 10% to $297 million.
