Russia plans railway construction in Iran after security situation stabilises

Russia says it plans to begin construction of the Resht–Astara railway line in Iran once the security situation in the country stabilises, according to the Russian Transport Ministry.

Spraking to TASS on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin noted that the sides are waiting for the situation to stabilise. 

“Our colleagues are on high alert. We hope that as soon as the situation is resolved, we will be able to begin construction of the Resht–Astara railway line,” Nikitin said.

He added that Moscow is maintaining close coordination with Tehran.

“I am in constant contact with the Minister of Transport, and [Russian Deputy Prime Minister] Vitaly Gennadievich Savelyev, who is responsible for the North-South Corridor, is also in constant contact with the Iranian leadership,” he said.

According to Nikitin, Iranian officials have confirmed their readiness to proceed with cooperation on the project.

Russia and Iran signed an agreement in 2023 under the broader North–South Transport Corridor initiative to jointly develop a 160-kilometre railway section between Rasht and Astara, aimed at improving connectivity between Iran and Azerbaijan and providing access to ports in the Persian Gulf.

The project is estimated to cost €1.6 billion and will be jointly financed by Moscow and Tehran, covering design, construction, and the supply of goods and services.

By Sabina Mammadli