Vital Rail Corridor’s Impact on Iran’s Economy 

The term “north-south corridor” has been frequently heard in Iran’s economy in the past two decades, which was conceived in St. Petersburg as a network of sea, road and rail transportation connecting Iran, India and Russia; naturally, Azerbaijan can be included in it, Hadi Haqshenas, an economic expert, said in an article for the Persian daily Arman-e Melli. A translation of the text follows:
The sea and road sections have been established. As it is the cheapest mode of transportation in the world, the three countries are seeking to complete the rail section, especially on the route to Iran.
Iran helps connect the Caspian Sea to the Persian Gulf. However, in the railroad sector, Iran is willing to connect to Azerbaijan through the 165-km-long Rasht-Bandar Anzali-Astara route. The Iranian government is looking for investors and has reached agreements with Russia. On the other hand, this rail route to Iran’s oceanic port, Chabahar, is 750 km, part of which is under construction.