Russia Reports Significant Increase in Goods Transit via Afghanistan Route Due to Iran Restrictions

Russia is reporting a significant increase in goods transit via the North-South international transport corridor. This includes greater utilization of routes that pass through Afghanistan and Central Asia. The rise comes amid heightened restrictions and disruptions on transit paths in Iran, a senior Russian official has said.

Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin has highlighted how alternative routes are now playing a larger role in Russian goods transfer. These alternative paths go through Central Asian countries as well as Afghanistan, Pakistan, and include road routes in the Gulf states.

Khusnullin stated that the volume of goods transferred via the land-based North-South corridor has significantly increased. He added that this increase is continuing even under the difficult conditions created by the restrictions on Iran. The restrictions have particularly impacted railway transportation and routes across the Caspian Sea.

The Russian deputy prime minister also pointed out that the development of the North-South highway corridor is moving forward as originally planned. This corridor is viewed as an important alternative that helps avoid the problems affecting other transit options.

The initial cause of the disruptions to regional trade was attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran that took place in the month of Hoot during the previous year. Those attacks resulted in severe disruptions to export and import routes throughout the region.