The framework was approved on Saturday by Iran’s National Transit Council during a meeting chaired by First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, according to the Iranian government's official information website.

The government said the plan aims to increase Iran’s share of the international transit market, strengthen its geo-economic position, and expand regional economic cooperation and investment.

It also seeks to deepen economic ties with Afghanistan and establish new financing mechanisms for strategic infrastructure projects.

Aref said developing transport corridors remains a government priority.

“The government has taken effective measures in this field during the past two years and considers the development of transit corridors one of its main priorities,” he said.

He said expanding transport infrastructure could strengthen Iran’s position in regional trade.

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“Increasing the capacity of corridors and developing dry and northern ports alongside the Persian Gulf ports is a fundamental strategy for improving Iran’s position in regional transport,” Aref said.

The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) and other Iranian media outlets reported the approval.

Afghanistan yet to respond

Afghan authorities had not publicly responded to the latest Iranian decision at the time of publication.

However, Afghanistan has previously expressed support for the project. Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdul Ghani Baradar invited Uzbekistan to invest in the railway, saying it would facilitate trade with Iran and China while contributing to regional stability and development.

Afghan government documents describe the proposed Herat–Mazar-e-Sharif section as a 657-kilometre railway designed to support trade and improve connections between different parts of the country and regional markets.

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News Iran Afghanistan railway East–West Transport Corridor Herat–Mazar-e-Sharif railway