16:21 - 13.07.2026

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July 13, Fineko/abc.az. The construction of Rasht-Astara railway will begin in the near future.

Jabbari Ali Zakeri, the head of the Iranian Railways, says that this work will start after completion of the purchase of all land plots along the route.

The 162-km Rasht-Astara railway is one of the key sections of North-South transport corridor. The project includes connection of Iran's southern ports with the railway network of the South Caucasus, Russia, and Europe.

Russia and Iran signed an agreement in 2023 as part of the North-South project to jointly build a 160-km section of the Rasht-Astara railroad between Iran and Azerbaijan, which will provide a direct route to the Persian Gulf ports. The total cost of the project is €1.6 billion. Moscow and Tehran will jointly finance the design, construction, and supply of goods and services.