TEHRAN (Iran News) Speaking on the sidelines of the ECO Interior Ministers’ Meeting in Tehran, Bijar highlighted the province’s strategic role in Iran’s regional trade network. “Sistan and Baluchestan is the largest province in the country and shares the longest border with Pakistan, as well as a border with Afghanistan. The Afghan border is the closest route to Chabahar Port, providing a vital outlet for Afghan traders,” he said.

Bijar explained that improving infrastructure was a prerequisite for expanding economic exchanges with neighboring countries. “We are developing both the coastal corridor and the North–South corridor, which will not only facilitate domestic transportation but also strengthen regional connectivity,” he said.

The governor noted that the province currently has three official border crossings with Pakistan and one official crossing at Milak with Afghanistan. “Some cross-border exchanges also occur at the local level to ensure that border communities benefit economically from these activities,” he added.

Bijar emphasized that the goal of these local trade initiatives is to improve livelihoods and promote regional economic development. “Trade should not only serve national interests but also help the people living in border regions,” he said.

He pointed out that four border markets currently operate between Iran and Afghanistan and that the province hosts two free trade zones — the Chabahar Free Zone and the Sistan Free Zone.

“The Chabahar Free Zone had some administrative challenges, which we have now addressed through management changes,” Bijar said. “The Sistan Free Zone, which had been inactive, has also been revived, and several companies have begun operations there.”

Bijar also discussed the province’s growing ties with Oman, noting that the two sides had recently explored economic opportunities during an official visit. “About 35 percent of Oman’s indigenous population are Baluch people with ancestral roots in Iran, which gives us a strong cultural and historical link,” he said.

He added that maritime transport between Chabahar and Muscat now operates twice a week, and negotiations are underway to establish a direct flight between Zahedan and Karachi to enhance air connectivity with Pakistan.

The governor underlined Pakistan’s importance in supplying essential commodities to Iran. “Pakistan has significant capacity to help supply basic goods,” he said. “During the recent 12-day conflict involving the Zionist regime, when we faced shortages of red meat and rice, we turned to Pakistan’s resources.”

Bijar explained that rice imports from Pakistan were authorized both during and after the conflict, with shipments arriving under both preferential and free-market exchange rates. “In the red meat sector as well, we have developed strong cooperation with Pakistan, ensuring the steady supply of essential food products,” he noted.

Highlighting the province’s pivotal role in regional trade, Bijar said that Central Asian countries could use the Chabahar Port as their most direct access route to international waters. “Chabahar offers landlocked nations in Central Asia a secure and efficient corridor to global markets,” he explained.

He added that the completion of the Chabahar–Zahedan railway line will significantly enhance the port’s logistical capabilities, connecting it to Iran’s national rail network and, eventually, to Central Asia. “Once operational, this line will be a game-changer for regional trade, facilitating cargo movement from the Indian Ocean to Central Asia through Iranian territory,” Bijar said.

The governor also pointed to the shared cultural and linguistic heritage between Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan as a foundation for deeper regional cooperation. “We have strong cultural ties with both neighboring countries, and we intend to use these bonds to foster economic and social development in the province,” he said. “Railway ”

Bijar concluded that with the progress of infrastructure projects like the Chabahar–Zahedan railway, the expansion of border markets, and the establishment of new transport links, Sistan and Baluchestan is poised to become a gateway for regional trade and integration.

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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.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Mohammadreza Tavakolizadeh, president of the Khorasan Razavi Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture, spoke at a joint meeting with the director general of Khorasan Railways and the head of the province’s Management and Planning Organization. He highlighted that linking Iran’s rail network to Pakistan via the Mirjaveh border holds immense potential for boosting trade. Under the proposed plan, only 500 meters of railway would need to extend into Pakistani territory to facilitate the loading and unloading of cargo wagons. This connection could significantly increase the transport capacity for goods like sulfur, fostering stronger regional economic cooperation.

Tavakolizadeh noted that involving key stakeholders, such as the steel industry, in constructing railway lines could prove beneficial. However, he stressed that the economic viability for private-sector participation remains a critical concern due to the long payback period of such projects.

He underscored the need for coordination among the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, the Ministry of Petroleum, the Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Trade, and private investors to ensure the project’s success. The Budget and Planning Organization, as a guiding body, could play a pivotal role in driving the initiative forward.

Tavakolizadeh also pointed to investment in rail fleets as a promising opportunity for the private sector. While some Iranian companies have purchased wagons, few have comprehensively ventured into supplying freight trains. He suggested that models like investing in locomotives and establishing independent fleets could yield substantial profits for private investors.

Seyyed Jamaluddin Hosseini, head of Khorasan Razavi’s Management and Planning Organization, stated during the meeting that accelerating the construction of the second railway line on the Sangan-Torbat Heydarieh-Bafq axis, along with developing complementary routes, could enhance national transport efficiency, reduce logistics costs, and promote sustainable economic growth.

Hosseini estimated the cost of the first phase of the Sangan-Torbat Heydarieh-Bafq second line at approximately 5 trillion IRR (Iranian Rials), with construction set to begin at five key points. He added that the government could offset part of the investment under Article 12 of the Law on Removing Barriers to Production.

Referring to the Sangan route, Hosseini noted that four critical segments, spanning 110 kilometers, have been prioritized to boost capacity by up to 15%. The estimated cost for this section is 6.5 trillion IRR, and with adequate funding, the project could be completed within a year.

Hosseini proposed forming a provincial consortium involving investors, private-sector entities, and steel companies to advance rail transport development in Sangan. In this model, steel firms—major beneficiaries of the route—would collaborate with local investors. While previous memoranda of understanding between the railway authority and steel companies failed to materialize into operational contracts, Hosseini attributed delays to the project’s multi-sectoral nature, requiring alignment among the Ministries of Petroleum, Roads, and Industry. He also cited the affordability and availability of road transport as a factor reducing rail usage.

As the coordinating body, the Budget and Planning Organization has taken on the responsibility of managing this multifaceted project, holding numerous meetings to finalize funding and resource allocation decisions. Hosseini emphasized that both the government and private sector stand to benefit from its implementation.

Mostafa Nasiri, director general of Khorasan Railways, reported that in 2023, approximately 10.5 million tons of cargo were transported from Sangan to various destinations. Of this, 5 million tons could have been moved by rail but were shifted to roads due to capacity constraints. This reliance on road transport has increased costs, fuel consumption, and road wear.

Nasiri stressed that alongside building new lines, optimizing rail traffic management could enhance capacity. He cited the use of virtual block systems on busy routes like Tehran-Mashhad, where dividing 20-kilometer blocks into 4-kilometer segments has enabled more frequent train passages—a method that could also improve freight route efficiency.

The proposed rail link with Pakistan and the Sangan upgrades reflect Iran’s broader strategy to bolster its transport infrastructure, reduce logistics costs, and strengthen regional trade ties, particularly with Pakistan. If realized, these projects could mark a significant leap forward in the country’s economic connectivity.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Jabbar-Ali Zakeri made the remarks in a meeting with Deputy Minister of Public Works and Head of the Afghan Railway Administration Mawlawi Mohammad Ishaq Sahebzada and his delegation. He emphasized that the Iranian railway organization is determined to assist Afghanistan in this respect.

Zakeri called for arranging a tripartite meeting among Iranian, Chinese, and Afghan authorities to pursue the implementation of the railway project, which was proposed by the Iranian railway officials.

He added that many of the problems faced by the Iranian and Afghan railway consortium have been resolved, and currently, three trains are operating weekly on the designated route.

The deputy minister also noted that in response to Afghanistan’s request, a third training course for Afghan railway staff will soon be held, both in-person and, if desired, partly online.

The construction of the Khaf-Herat railway, which links Khaf in eastern Iran with Herat in western Afghanistan, began back in 2007.

Fore his part, Sahebzada thanked the Iranian railway organization for training programs for 96 Afghan railway employees. He add that following the successful completion of the first and second training courses, they are now looking forward to the third course.

The Afghan official stated that the Khaf-Herat project symbolizes the friendship between the two countries, expressing hope that through joint cooperation, there will be an increase in the level of transit and cargo transport, resulting in the growth of trade between the two countries.

He emphasized that based on studies, there is significant cargo capacity along the China-Afghanistan-Iran route, assuring that Afghanistan is fully prepared to take the necessary steps alongside Iran in this regard.

The head of the Afghan Railway Administration also announced that engineering studies are underway for the construction of the Zaranj-Kandahar railway project, which, when connected to Zabul, will open a new chapter of cooperation and trade exchanges between the two countries.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) A Wednesday report by the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways said its CEO is attending the 81st meeting of the Council for Railway Transport of the CIS member states in Uzbekistan.

It said Iran will use the meeting, which is chaired by Russia, to submit its request to join the railway network of the CIS so that its wagons can operate in the network.

The request aims to enable Iran to use the vast network of CIS railways for cargo transit.

Managing Director of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways Jabbar-Ali Zakeri is representing Iran in the CIS meeting in Tashkent as an observer state.

It said Iran will use the meeting, which is chaired by Russia, to submit its request to join the railway network of the CIS so that its wagons can operate in the network.

The request aims to enable Iran to use the vast network of CIS railways for cargo transit.

Managing Director of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways Jabbar-Ali Zakeri is representing Iran in the CIS meeting in Tashkent as an observer state.

It said Iran will use the meeting, which is chaired by Russia, to submit its request to join the railway network of the CIS so that its wagons can operate in the network.

The request aims to enable Iran to use the vast network of CIS railways for cargo transit.

Managing Director of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways Jabbar-Ali Zakeri is representing Iran in the CIS meeting in Tashkent as an observer state.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) “We are so saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the railway station canopy collapse in Novi Sad, #Serbia,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei wrote in a post on his X account on Sunday.

“We offer our condolences to the families of the victims and stand in solidarity with the government and people of Serbia,” he added.

At least 14 people, including a child, were killed after a concrete canopy at a railway station in Novi Sad collapsed on Friday.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Jalali made the remarks in an interview with IRNA, published on Monday. He dismissed the media hype about Russian withdrawal from the mega project, terming it “psychological warfare against Tehran-Moscow ties.”

He underlined that Western countries cannot tolerate the mutual cooperation between the Islamic Republic and Russia.

Elaborating on the latest situation of the Rasht-Astara railway, he said that the Russians have agreed to provide the loan for the project.

The interest on this loan and the duration of the railway line’s construction have been specified, the envoy underscored.

The Russians expect the entire 162-kilometer route of the railway to be made available to their experts for studies, Jalali said.

Given the importance of the project, the Russian side expects the entire land to be acquired first, and then the studies to be completed, he noted.

In May 2023, Iran and Russia signed an agreement worth $1.6 billion to build the Rasht-Astara railway.

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