Iran and Russia Accelerate North-South Transport Corridor Development
Iran and Russia agreed to expedite the International North-South Transport Corridor to link South Asia and Northern Europe while reducing reliance on Western logistics.
The governments of Iran and Russia reaffirmed their commitment on December 16, 2025, to accelerate the completion of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). This multi-modal trade network is designed to link South Asia to Northern Europe, shortening transport times relative to Suez Canal routes and decreasing dependence on Western-controlled logistics amid ongoing sanctions.
During a meeting in Tehran, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani and Russian Deputy Prime Minister for Transport Vitaly Savelyev discussed the transition of the project into its operational phase. Larijani pledged that Iran would finalize necessary legal agreements and remove institutional and executive obstacles. Savelyev confirmed Russia's readiness to move the corridor toward full operation.
A central priority for the partnership is the construction of the 162-kilometer Rasht-Astara railway in northern Iran. This critical link, funded by a Russian state credit following a July 2023 contract, connects the cities of Rasht and Astara. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that the construction of this specific line is under the priority control of the presidents of both nations.
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