Russia's Exports to Iran via INSTC Surge Over 56% in Early 2026
Russia’s exports to Iran via INSTC grew by more than 56% in January-April 2026
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In the first four months of 2026, Russian exports to Iran via the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) increased by over 56% year-on-year, driven by geopolitical factors and enhanced trade routes, according to Russian Transport Minister Andrey Nikitin.
- 01Exports to Iran via INSTC rose by 56% in January-April 2026 compared to the previous year.
- 02Overall cargo traffic along the North-South corridor increased by 87% during the same period.
- 03The Trans-Caspian route through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan saw a 98% growth in traffic.
- 04Travel time from the Baltic to South Asia via this corridor is now 15-20 days, significantly faster than the Suez Canal route.
- 05The capacity of checkpoints on the Western route through Azerbaijan has increased to 1,900 trucks per day.
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During the first four months of 2026, exports from Russia to Iran via the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) surged by over 56% year-on-year, according to Russian Transport Minister Andrey Nikitin. This growth is attributed to the evolving geopolitical landscape in the Middle East, which has expedited the development of eastern and southern transport corridors. Overall cargo traffic along the North-South corridor experienced an impressive 87% increase, with the Trans-Caspian route through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan witnessing a remarkable 98% growth. The INSTC corridor has significantly reduced transit times from the Baltic to South Asia, now taking only 15-20 days, compared to the longer Suez Canal route. Additionally, shipments from Russia to China exceeded 186 million tons in 2025, indicating a broader increase in trade traffic. The capacity of checkpoints along the Western route through Azerbaijan has also expanded fivefold, accommodating 1,900 trucks per day. These developments were highlighted during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), which took place from June 3 to 6, attracting representatives from 142 countries and resulting in over 1,000 agreements worth approximately 6.642 trillion rubles (around $90.6 billion).
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The increase in exports and trade efficiency is likely to enhance economic ties between Russia and Iran, benefiting local businesses and economies.
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