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).