Iran, Azerbaijan discuss expansion of transport coop.

During an official meeting between Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadegh, and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Digital Development and Transport, Rashad Nabiyev, the two sides discussed the latest progress on joint projects within the framework of the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

The meeting was attended by Hadi Heghshenas, Governor of Gilan Province, and the two sides emphasized the importance of expanding transport cooperation—particularly in the railway and port sectors of Gilan.

Minister Sadegh highlighted the capacity of Anzali and Astara ports, noting that Iran is prioritizing the launch of a scheduled freight train service along the western route of the corridor and introducing tariff discounts for transit routes.

Governor Heghshenas underlined Gilan’s strategic position connecting Iran’s rail and port networks to the Caucasus and the Caspian Sea, stating that the province is ready to become a logistics hub in northern Iran and a key link for regional trade.

He added that completing the Rasht–Astara railway and developing new infrastructure in the Anzali Free Zone would significantly boost transit volumes and advance the goals of the North–South Corridor.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to establish joint expert committees to address challenges facing Iranian transport fleets at the Azerbaijani border and to enhance cooperation in port and rail sectors./mehr