Russian Container Trains Route to Tehran; Rail Diplomacy Strengthens Iran-Russia Transit Cooperation

Tehran – A joint meeting was held on November 7 between Dr. Zakeri, CEO of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (RAI) and Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Mikhail Goncharov, Secretary General of the International Coordination Council for Trans – Eurasian Transport (CCTT), and Oleg Polif, CEO of Russia’s RZD Logistics.

The session focused on enhancing Iran’s role in the North –  South Corridor, integrating Russia into a joint rail tariff agreement, and expanding logistics cooperation at Tehran’s Aprin Dry Port.

Dr. Zakeri highlighted the arrival of the first Russian container train at Aprin Dry Port and emphasized the need for closer coordination among corridor members. He noted that Iran’s current rail capacity along the corridor is underutilized and called for quantitative targets to increase scheduled train dispatches to southern destinations, alongside the adoption of unified transit tariffs among member countries.

Goncharov welcomed the Russian train’s arrival and underscored that Aprin Dry Port helps overcome major bottlenecks in the western branch of the North–South Corridor. He stressed that a single transit tariff among the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) members is essential to strengthen the corridor.

Oleg Polif praised Iran Railways’ efforts in optimizing the corridor, noting that transit times have been reduced to approximately 15 days, with shipping costs. He announced plans to dispatch at least three additional Russian cargo trains to Aprin, positioning the dry port as a key hub for rail trade between corridor countries and Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq.