Iran has once again confirmed its strong commitment to finish the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a major transit route that aims to link Russia with India via Iran. The announcement came during a high-level meeting in Moscow, where Iran’s Minister of Industry, Mine, and Trade, Mohammad Atabak, met with Russian counterparts.
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What Is INSTC?
INSTC is a multi-modal transport corridor combining rail, sea, and road links. It is designed to connect ports on the Caspian Sea and southern Iran (Persian Gulf) with Russia and India. The idea is to create a shorter, more efficient route for trade between these regions.
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One of the key parts of this route is the Rasht-Astara railway link, which will connect parts of northern Iran to Azerbaijan and then onward to Russia and India.
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What Did Iran Say?
During the Moscow talks, Minister Atabak said that completing INSTC is a strategic focus for Iran.
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He also announced that the construction work for the Rasht-Astara railway link would move into its executive phase in the coming months.
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Atabak emphasized that both private sectors — in Iran and Russia — would play vital roles in boosting trade through this route.
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Also, he called for removing obstacles that slow Iran-Russia trade, like trade barriers and mismatched standards.
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From the Russian side, officials noted that trade between Russia and Iran has jumped by 35% since a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) began to be enforced. They saw this as an encouraging sign that the INSTC’s completion could further expand trade volumes.
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Why This Matters
Shorter trade routes
The INSTC offers a route that avoids longer sea paths (for example through the Suez Canal). This savings in time and cost can make trade more efficient between Russia, Iran, and India.
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Economic benefits
With INSTC completed, more goods (like energy, commodities, machinery) could flow across the corridor. It could help economies of Iran and its partners grow.
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Geopolitical importance
Because many countries are part of or interested in this corridor — India, Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan — its success can deepen regional ties. It can also reduce dependence on geopolitical chokepoints.
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Financing and challenges
The Rasht-Astara section, which is 162 km long and includes many bridges and tunnels, is among the most challenging parts.
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Also, past reports mention that parts of INSTC are slow to develop because of funding gaps, infrastructure differences (rail gauge changes), and sanctions affecting Iran.
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What to Watch Next
Whether Iran and Russia begin actual construction work soon in the Rasht-Astara section.
How much private investment is attracted to the project, especially from businesses in both countries.
Whether barriers to trade (customs, regulations, standard mismatches) are removed efficiently.
How other countries (India, Azerbaijan, Central Asian states) respond and whether they commit more resources.
In simple terms: Iran says it will not delay — it wants INSTC completed. For Iran and its partners, this corridor is a promise of faster trade, stronger economic ties, and reduced costs. But the project is large, complex, and faces obstacles. If they can push forward, the benefits could be significant for the region.