Iran Urges Iraq to Accelerate Shalamcheh–Basra Railway Construction

TEHRAN (Iran News) During the second day of his visit to Iraq, Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadegh, met with his Iraqi counterpart on Sunday, emphasizing the need for deeper transportation cooperation between the two nations. He highlighted the importance of facilitating travel for Arbaeen pilgrims in the coming months and praised the overall progress in bilateral transport collaborations.

Sadegh stressed that expanding transport infrastructure is crucial for enhancing economic and trade relations between the two countries. He explained that improved connectivity would allow Iraq access to the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Russia via Iran through both rail and road, while Iran could gain strategic land and rail links to Arab Gulf nations through Iraq.

The Iranian minister also pointed to Kazakhstan’s interest in transiting cargo through Iran to Iraq and proposed a trilateral meeting between Iran, Iraq, and Kazakhstan to facilitate regional transit cooperation.

He reiterated Iran’s proposals, including the establishment of this trilateral mechanism, the completion of the Shalamcheh–Basra railway, and the broader integration of the Iranian and Iraqi rail networks. He noted that the resumption of the Shalamcheh–Basra railway under the administration of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani indicates Baghdad’s commitment to the project.

Sadegh announced that demining operations along the Shalamcheh–Basra route have been completed. He urged Iraqi authorities to formally receive the cleared land by appointing a quality control company, stressing that the handover is a key step to accelerating the railway’s construction.

The Iranian minister also revealed plans to complete the construction of the movable Arvand technical bridge before next year’s Arbaeen pilgrimage. He expressed hope that with Iraq’s cooperation, the Shalamcheh–Basra railway could also be completed by then.

Sadegh underscored the strategic importance of building a road and railway link connecting Khorramshahr to Khanaqin and Baghdad. He proposed detailed discussions between the Iranian and Iraqi rail authorities to finalize the Shalamcheh–Basra project.

He also mentioned that the substructure for the Kermanshah–Islamabad rail line is 82% complete and that track-laying toward Khorramshahr will begin soon. Once completed, this would enable rail connectivity between Iraq, Central Asia, and China.

Sadegh emphasized the necessity of signing a road transport agreement between Iran and Iraq to support seamless transit. He proposed that further demining be carried out along the remaining width of the railway corridor, simultaneously with its transfer to a Spanish company.

Iran, he added, believes Iraq’s development lies in improved regional transit coordination. The country is also ready to start pilot cargo transits under the TIR Convention within a month, before the month of Muharram.

Sadegh said a meeting will be held with the International Road Transport Union to support Iraq’s implementation of the TIR Convention, adding that Iran is ready to share its experience and knowledge. Iran is also finalizing upgrades at border terminals like Shalamcheh, expected to be completed in the coming months.

Iraqi Minister of Transport Razzaq Muhaibis Al-Saadawi, who also attended the meeting, confirmed the formation of a High Committee for Arbaeen Pilgrimages, responsible for overseeing travel safety, infrastructure readiness, and inter-agency coordination.

He affirmed Iraq’s commitment to completing its transportation infrastructure—particularly rail links—citing Iraq’s strategic geographic position and the importance of rail connectivity for regional integration.

Al-Saadawi voiced support for Iranian proposals, including the Khorramshahr–Khanaqin–Baghdad railway and a trilateral Iran–Iraq–Kazakhstan transit meeting. He also emphasized that Iraq has no obstacles to cooperating on the TIR Convention.

Calling the Shalamcheh–Basra railway a national priority, he said the project is personally endorsed by the Iraqi Prime Minister and will be pursued seriously. He commended Iran’s efforts to revive the project after years of dormancy and vowed that Iraq will work to eliminate any remaining obstacles and accelerate its completion.