Moscow: Moscow, Baku, and Tehran are set to commence the practical implementation of the Rasht-Astara railway section, a critical component of the "North-South" International Transport Corridor. This announcement was made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during a joint press conference with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov following their negotiations in Moscow.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Lavrov stated that the Iranian side has recently completed the land allocation process for the Rasht-Astara section, which had been a significant obstacle in moving forward with the construction for several years. This development marks a pivotal moment for the trilateral project amid the ongoing crisis around the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted global transport routes and the economy.

The Russian Foreign Minister further explained that the heads of the Russian, Azerbaijani, and Iranian railways have already convened to discuss the practical steps required to initiate the construction phase under the new conditions. With the land allocation issue resolved, Lavrov expressed confidence in the renewed interest and collaboration among all parties involved in launching the practical work on the railway section.