Tehran seeks rail link to Afghanistan via Uzbekistan as Iran-Kazakhstan freight grows

The head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways, on the sidelines of the two-day summit of ministers from Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) member states in Kazakhstan, announced a review of obstacles to Iran-Kazakhstan rail cooperation and the issue of connecting Iran’s rail network to Afghanistan via Uzbekistan. Jabbar-Ali Zakeri, at the two-day ECO ministers’ summit in Kazakhstan, referred to the development of rail infrastructure and the increase in regional transit capacity and emphasized the need to expand transport cooperation among regional countries.

The head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways, referring to the annual holding of the “New Silk Road” conference by Kazakhstan Railways and the country’s Ministry of Transport, described the main goal of the event as developing transport in the region and strengthening international corridors. Zakeri, referring to the opening last year of the Dostyk route, the second border crossing between Kazakhstan and China, said: “Rail-laying operations are underway on the continuation of this route over a length of 150 kilometers, and the project is expected to become operational next year.