Iran closes two border checkpoints with Azerbaijan
By Sara Rajabova
Iran has closed its border checkpoints with Azerbaijan in Julfa (the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic) and Bilasuvar.
The news was announced by the Iranian embassy in Azerbaijan on November 8.
Spokesman for the embassy of Iran in Azerbaijan Sayed Mohammad Ayatullahi cited the closure of the Poldesht border checkpoint by Azerbaijan as a possible reason.
The State Customs Committee (SCC) told Trend news agency that the two checkpoints closed by the Iranian side are open in the territory of Azerbaijan.
As a result of their closure, a large crowd has gathered at the Astara border checkpoint.
Confirming the closure of the border checkpoints by the Iranian border guards, Ayatullahi said the reason is that Azerbaijani border guards closed the Shahtakhti-Poldesht border checkpoint without warning.
According to the Iranian Embassy, Azerbaijan closed the Poldesht checkpoint on November 6 because of the shots fired at a tractor at a place nearby.
Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic's Representative Office in Baku said earlier that a tractor which was carrying out shore protection work at the Araz River in the Nakhchivan Autonomous was fired at on November 5 by two persons dressed in Iranian military uniforms.
Border guards arrived at the scene after hearing the shots.
During the preliminary investigation, it was found that two bullets hit the radiator, and a bullet struck the side of the tractor's cab.
The tractor's location and the direction of the shots prove that the shots were fired from Iran.
The Iranian Embassy in Baku said the closure of the Poldesht border-crossing point has created serious problems for Iranian drivers and citizens.
There are seven border crossings on the Azerbaijani-Iranian border.