Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia Outline Roadmap to Achieve 15m Tons in Transit Capacity

TEHRAN (Iran News) According to a report from the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadegh, who traveled to Baku early Monday (October 13), addressed reporters following a series of trilateral and bilateral meetings with Azerbaijani and Russian officials. “This was a highly impactful meeting,” Sadegh said. “We had long sought to convene such a session, and the resolutions and commitments made will have lasting effects.”

Sadegh described the formulation of a roadmap toward the 15 million-ton transit target as the meeting’s most significant achievement, emphasizing that the goal is “certainly attainable.” She added, “With this roadmap in place, existing challenges will be addressed and resolved.”

The minister underscored the central role of the Rasht–Astara railway as the final missing link in the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a strategic route connecting India, Iran, and Russia through the Caspian region.

“The connection between Rasht and Astara is the last segment needed to complete the North–South Corridor,” she stated. “Land acquisition for the remaining sections will be finalized by year’s end, and we expect to see significant physical progress over the next three years.”

Sadegh noted that representatives from the customs authorities of all three countries also participated in the meeting. She said that streamlining customs processes and facilitating the movement of trucks across all shared borders were key agenda items, gaining strong endorsement both in trilateral discussions and separate bilateral talks.

During her bilateral meeting with Alexei Overchuk, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Sadegh highlighted the expanding cooperation between Iran and Russia in transportation and transit, pointing to joint projects such as the Rasht–Astara railway as tangible examples of progress since the signing of the strategic cooperation agreement earlier this year.

Sadegh described the current status of bilateral relations as “positive and promising,” citing growing coordination across multiple sectors. She also referred to last month’s meeting between the Presidents of Iran and Russia on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in China, noting that both leaders had supported holding the trilateral summit with Azerbaijan.

She further expressed Iran’s appreciation for Russia’s support at the United Nations, particularly regarding Moscow’s stance against the reimposition of illegal sanctions on Iran.

According to the minister, transport and transit cooperation between Iran and Russia has gained new prominence following the signing of their strategic partnership agreement. She reaffirmed both countries’ strong commitment to advancing joint infrastructure projects such as the Rasht–Astara rail line, describing it as a “symbol of strategic determination.”

Detailed reports on the progress of the railway project were also presented during the meeting, with both sides agreeing to finalize the executive contract and address existing challenges as a priority.

On the sidelines of the summit, Iran and Azerbaijan reached an agreement to organize and streamline freight transport across their shared border via both rail and road.

During her visit to Baku, Minister Sadegh — who also heads the Iran–Azerbaijan Joint Economic Cooperation Commission — held talks with Shahin Mustafayev, Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan.

The two officials reviewed the progress of joint transport and transit projects, reaffirming their commitment to enhance cooperation in the sector. As part of the visit, the Iranian, Azerbaijani, and Russian delegations also toured joint infrastructure projects in Astara, including the border terminal, railway, and related engineering structures.

Both sides emphasized the need for continued coordination in cross-border logistics, with on-site evaluations of facilities to ensure efficient cargo movement.

Minister Sadegh concluded that the progress of joint infrastructure initiatives demonstrates the firm determination of Iran and Azerbaijan to advance shared strategic objectives, reinforcing regional connectivity and economic integration.