Moscow: Iran and Russia are nearing the signing of an executive contract for the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway, a key project under the International North-South Transport Corridor, Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali says.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, the most important joint project between Tehran and Moscow within the framework of the International North-South Corridor is the Rasht-Astara railway project. Jalali told the Moscow-based Vedomosti newspaper that both sides had reached an agreement on its executive contract and were planning to sign it in the presence of officials from both countries.

Jalali mentioned that talks and practical measures were currently underway on several infrastructure and economic projects, including energy cooperation and the transfer of Russian gas to Iran. He emphasized that Iran-Russia cooperation extended beyond political ties, highlighting specific transport, energy, and infrastructure projects on their agenda.

The goal of the contacts and negotiations between the two countries is to ensure that joint projects, such as the construction of units 2 and 3 of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, do not stop and are pursued more rapidly after the regional situation is stabilized, he said.