Iran, Russia strengthen transport ties with upcoming Rasht–Astara railway agreement

An agreement is expected to be signed soon to begin the construction of the Rasht–Astara railway in Iran’s northern Gilan province, a key segment of the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC), according to Amin Taraffo, Director of the Centre for International Relations at Iran’s Ministry of Roads and Urban Development.

Taraffo stated during a briefing that preparations are currently underway to coordinate the details of a trade agreement between Iranian and Russian companies for the construction of the Rasht–Astara line.

He explained that the process of acquiring the land along the 160-kilometre route is in progress.

So far, 80 kilometres of land have been purchased, and the remaining 80 kilometres are expected to be acquired by the end of the current Iranian year, which ends on March 20, 2026. Once the land acquisition is completed, construction of the railway will commence next year.

The North–South Transport Corridor was established under an intergovernmental agreement signed on September 12, 2000, between Russia, Iran, and India.

The agreement was later ratified by several countries, including Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Oman, Tajikistan, Türkiye, and Ukraine. The corridor aims to shorten cargo delivery times between India and Russia, as well as to northern and western Europe. While the existing routes take more than six weeks, transportation via the North–South corridor is expected to take around three weeks.

As part of the corridor’s development, the 175-kilometre Qazvin–Rasht railway was inaugurated on March 6, 2019, linking the Iranian railway network with Azerbaijan Railways. The Rasht–Astara segment will further extend this connection through Iranian territory, creating a seamless rail link between Iran, the Caucasus region, Russia, and northern Europe.

The corridor consists of three main routes passing through Iran: the eastern route via Turkmenistan and Central Asian countries, the central route via the Caspian Sea to Russia and other states, and the western route through Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia, and eastern Europe.

It should be recalled that on May 17, 2023, Iran and Russia signed an agreement to construct the Resht–Astara railway in Gilan province. The line, approximately 163 kilometres long, will include nine stations.

The Russian side has committed to providing €1.6 billion in funding for the project, which is expected to be completed within 48 months. Upon completion, the Rasht–Astara railway will significantly enhance the efficiency of the North–South corridor and strengthen Iran’s rail connectivity with the Caucasus, Russia, and northern European countries.

By Tamilla Hasanova