Afghanistan, Iran and Tajikistan have agreed to establish a road transport corridor through Afghanistan to boost regional trade and streamline the movement of commercial cargo. The agreement was reached during talks in Mashhad this week.
Afghanistan's Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation said cargo travelling between Iran and Tajikistan would transit through Afghan territory.
The ministry said: "Under the agreement, commercial cargo between Iran and Tajikistan will be transported and transited through Afghan territory."
The operational agreement was signed by representatives of the three countries after they reviewed transport capacity, border challenges and ways to strengthen cooperation.
Iranian authorities said the first trial shipment would travel along the route within one month. Trucks from all three countries will take part in the trial to test customs procedures, border operations and coordination.
The three countries also agreed to establish a permanent working group to oversee implementation of the agreement, address operational issues and publish regular progress reports.
The Iranian statement said: "The working group will follow up on the implementation of the decisions, address operational obstacles and issue periodic progress reports."
Officials also agreed to improve border infrastructure, simplify visa arrangements for drivers, reduce waiting times, modernise transport fleets, develop joint insurance arrangements and expand roadside services.
A second trilateral meeting is expected to be held in Kabul in late October.
Goods already traded between Iran and Tajikistan provide an indication of what could use the new corridor. Trade data shows Iran exports products including iron bars, polymers and nuts to Tajikistan, while Tajikistan exports raw cotton, fibreboard and silkworm cocoons to Iran.
Bilateral trade reached about U.S.$120 million in the first quarter of 2026, according to Tajikistan's Customs Service.
Iran said it was nearing a final pact with Oman defining new shipping lanes between them through the Strait of Hormuz but repeated that the U.S. must ...
At least 77 people were killed after a powerful earthquake struck western Colombia early on Monday, toppling buildings across several cities and leavi...
A consortium including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is reportedly close to agreeing a deal to acquire a roughly one-third stake in Premier League club Li...
An agreement between Iran and the U.S. to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is expected "soon," a U.S. official has said. The deal would result in the resumption of commercial shipping through the sea passage and the lifting of an American naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Flights arriving at Catania airport in eastern Sicily were suspended after volcanic ash from a new eruption of Mount Etna drifted into the airspace around the airport, disrupting operations at one of Italy’s busiest aviation hubs.
A deal on a new route for vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is "very close," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said, while warning that the reopening of the waterway depends on the U.S. meeting other conditions, including paying compensation to Iran.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 9th of August, covering the latest developments.
Iran said it was nearing a final pact with Oman defining new shipping lanes between them through the Strait of Hormuz but repeated that the U.S. must meet other conditions.
Uzbekistan has secured preferential tariffs for fertiliser and petroleum product shipments through Kazakhstan’s Kuryk port to Georgian ports, as Uzbek cargo volumes across the Caspian continue to rise.
Police in eastern India used tear gas, batons and water cannon on Monday to disperse thousands of young protesters marching on the Jharkhand state legislature over alleged irregularities in civil service examinations.
Rising temperatures are threatening Georgia’s farms, energy supply and banking sector, with experts warning that the country has a narrow window to prepare before the economic costs grow significantly.
Pakistan is seeking to strengthen its energy security through a proposed Gulf oil storage scheme, $5 billion in refinery upgrades and renewed offshore exploration with Türkiye as global supply disruptions expose its reliance on imports.
Syria and Russia have signed a memorandum of understanding on the future of Russian bases at Tartous and Hmeimim after 18 months of negotiations, the Syrian foreign ministry said on Sunday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment