Iran prioritizes Rasht-Astara railway construction in talks with Russia

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed his government's commitment to completing the Rasht-Astara railway during a meeting with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Savelyev, calling the project a "top priority."

According to Pezeshkian the Iranian government places great importance on implementing the agreement [with Russia], Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

"The Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadegh, has been assigned personal responsibility for its execution,” president said.

Tehran has pledged to adhere to all provisions of the agreement and complete the railway within the agreed timeframe, the statement added.

To recap, in May 2023, Iran and Russia formalized an agreement to jointly finance, design, and construct the Rasht-Astara railway. The 170-kilometre rail link, part of the International North-South Transport Corridor, aims to connect Iran's railway network with Azerbaijan and other CIS countries.

Russia has pledged €1.3 billion of the project’s estimated €1.6 billion cost, reinforcing its commitment to establishing an alternative trade route to the Suez Canal. The initiative promises to streamline cargo transit between Europe, Russia, and the Persian Gulf.

Simultaneously, Azerbaijan has upgraded its rail terminal in Astara to enhance cargo transhipment, boosting the corridor's efficiency and economic potential.

By Aghakazim Guliyev