Iran strengthens rail diplomacy at “Middle East Railway Forum”

Iran’s rail diplomacy gained momentum at the 36th Regional Assembly of Middle East Railways (UIC RAME), attended by senior representatives from Turkey, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and Syria, alongside officials from the International Union of Railways (UIC).

According to the Transport and Urban Development Ministry, delegates from Jordan, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia’s public transport authority also joined the meeting virtually. At the opening session, Jabar Ali Zakari, Iran’s deputy transport minister and head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (known as RAI), highlighted Iran’s dynamic and purposeful approach to regional rail diplomacy, particularly with neighboring countries. He said recent memorandums with Central Asian states, Russia, and China have led to continuous growth in international freight and transit volumes through Iran in 2025.

Zakari noted that efforts to complete rail infrastructure, link networks, reduce cargo transit times, and expand passenger services with neighboring states — especially Turkey, Afghanistan, and Iraq — were accelerating, describing such initiatives as vital for regional integration and sustainable development. The RAME vice chair said expanding rail and multimodal transit is a key priority for Iran Railways, adding that Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates offer major opportunities for cooperation.