TEHRAN – Iran’s consul general in Astrakhan Ahmad Heydarian, met with the governor of the Russian province to discuss trade, transport, and cultural cooperation.

The governor welcomed the new Iranian envoy, calling Iran a “reliable and strategic partner.”  He said more than 70 Iran-backed companies are active in Astrakhan, including a branch of Mir Business Bank. Trade between Iran and Astrakhan has been growing, with cooperation expanding under the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

He noted that cargo traffic through Astrakhan’s ports rose 37 percent to 6.0 million tons last year, with a significant share linked to Iran. The province’s ports have a total capacity of 16 million tons, including Salianika Port, in which Iran holds a major stake. He also highlighted the activities of Iran’s Roza company in the Lotus special economic zone, and called for greater Iranian participation in developing container and cold-storage terminals. Cooperation with Iran’s Mostazafan Foundation was described as positive, with the governor urging further engagement.

The governor underlined Astrakhan’s ties with Iran’s Gilan and Mazandaran provinces, as well as with Rasht municipality. He added that Iranian universities are members of the Caspian Universities Association, and Persian is taught at Astrakhan State University and its School of Linguistics.

EF/MA