Iran, Russia Boost Trade via North-South Transport Corridor

On May 17, Iran and Russia officially signed an agreement for the construction of the Rasht-Astara railroad (Kremlin.ru, May 17). 
This railroad project holds immense significance, as it addresses a key missing link in the International North-South Transportation Corridor, or Middle Corridor. INSTC is a multimodal network of shipping, rail and road routes for moving freight among India, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia and Europe.