The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is facing significant challenges due to the conflict in the Middle East; however, the eastern route passing through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan remains functional and demonstrates resilience despite regional difficulties. This was highlighted in statements made by Russian Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin during an interview with the “Vesti” program on Russia 1.
According to the Minister, Russia has not abandoned its plans to implement the INSTC project in Iran and expects to resume active operations once the “hot phase” of the conflict concludes. “We are maintaining very systematic work with Iran. Of course, while [active construction] is currently impossible, we are nevertheless not backing away from any plans,” Interfax quoted Nikitin as saying.
He emphasized that the route via Turkmenistan continues to operate despite the existing complexities.
The INSTC, with a total length of approximately 7,200 km, connects Russia with Iranian ports (primarily Bandar Abbas) and, through them, with the markets of India, the Persian Gulf, and Southeast Asia. The corridor comprises three main branches: the Western route (via Azerbaijan and Armenia), the Trans-Caspian route (maritime via the Caspian Sea), and the Eastern route (via Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan). All three routes converge on Iranian territory.
Against the backdrop of the escalation beginning on 28 February 2026—which included military actions by the US and Israel against Iran, attacks on port infrastructure, retaliatory strikes by Iran, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz—many Russian exporters have suspended cargo shipments along the corridor.
According to the Russian publication ‘Vedomosti’, since late February, shipments via the INSTC have been effectively frozen for several sectors, including timber, chemicals, grain, metals, and petrochemicals. Reorienting to alternative routes (via North Africa, Latin America, or other Asian destinations) leads to a 20–30% increase in costs and extends delivery times from 30 days to 45–60 days, reducing export profitability.
Experts estimate that the total volume of cargo transshipment via the INSTC in 2026 could decrease by 25% or more, depending on the duration of the conflict.
In 2025, more than 9 million tons of cargo moved along the eastern branch of the North-South corridor via rail and road, of which approximately 5 million tons were in transit through Iran. For comparison, the western branch handled 6–7 million tons annually, while the Caspian route accounted for about 8 million tons in 2025. /// nCa, 13 March 2026