WANA (Sep 08) – Iran’s Consul General in Astrakhan, Ahmad Heydarian, dismissed social media claims alleging the seizure of Iranian ships in Russian ports.

 

On Monday, Heydarian said the reports were false and confirmed that the matter had been investigated through Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Relations, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Astrakhan, Caspian Shipping representatives in the region, and officials in Dagestan. “The Russian side has stated that no reports of Iranian ships being detained in the country’s ports exist,” he noted.

 

Earlier, social media posts had claimed that 20 Iranian vessels had been held in Russian ports for four days without explanation.

 

Astrakhan, located on the northern Caspian Sea and a key hub along the International North–South Transport Corridor, handles around 16 million tons of cargo annually. Iran is a major shareholder in the port of Solyanka, one of the region’s most important terminals.

 

Astrakhan Governor previously described Iran as a “reliable and strategic partner,” highlighting that more than 70 Iranian-backed companies operate in the province and that trade volumes with Iran continue to grow. Cargo traffic through Astrakhan’s ports rose by 37% last year, reaching six million tons, with a significant share destined for or transiting through Iran.

 

Despite strong trade ties, Iranian officials have raised concerns about lengthy delays in cargo handling, inspections, and licensing procedures at Russian ports. Heydarian noted that while Iranian ships reach the Volga River in three days, unloading can take 10–14 days, inspections last up to four days, and entry permits require 9–10 days.

 

Iran’s Ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, also previously urged Russian authorities to resolve bottlenecks at Solyanka port, warning that prolonged delays on the Volga risk undermining trade flows.

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