Iran and Russia are close to officially signing an executive contract for the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway, a key project within the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

The document has already been finalized and is expected to be signed soon by representatives of Tehran and Moscow, Iran’s IRNA news agency reported.

The Rasht-Astara railway is considered a strategically important link in the INSTC, which is designed to improve transport connectivity between Iran, Russia and other countries along the route.