Iran seeks to expand its transportation opportunities amid US sanctions by developing new railway connections with neighbouring countries.
The country’s railway expansion is aimed to turn Iran into a transit hub within the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
Stressing a beneficial geopolitical location of Iran, national railway’s official Mostafa Davoodi has said that "Iran has a good position as a transport hub that connects Middle East and Europe to the Far East and Southeast Asia, as well as unlock access to the Indian Ocean for Central Asian countries."
He said that a new railway connection between the Iranian border town of Shalamcheh and the southeastern Iraqi city of Basra will be kicked off by February 2026 after a decade of preparation.
The Shalamcheh-Basra railroad is to connect Iran to Najaf and Karbala in Iraq, making a pilgrims’ journey to the Muslim holy sites easy. The new 32-kilomter railroad will expand trade and transportation opportunities between the two countries. Up to 10 million tons of cargo and 12 million passengers are expected to be transported annually, according to Iran’s expectations.
As part of the project, Iran aims to build an overpass on the river that divides the two countries, known as the Arvand River in Iran and Shatt al-Arab in Iraq.
During a U.S.-Saudi investment forum in Riyadh, President Donald Trump issued a sharp warning to Iran, declaring that the country will "never have a nuclear weapon."
Recent U.S. sanctions on Iran are not constructive when it comes to negotiations, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Tuesday, after the two countries held a fourth round of nuclear talks on Sunday in Oman.
Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Iran, China, and Turkmenistan have reached a key agreement on unified rail transport tariffs, marking a strategic step toward enhancing cargo flows along the China–Europe corridor through Central Asia and the Middle East.
Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani has confirmed that preparations are in progress for a potential visit to Tehran by Russian President Vladimir Putin, though no official date has been announced.
Uzbekistan and Iran are working toward increasing bilateral trade to $2 billion, as discussed during high-level talks in Tehran between the two countries' government delegations.
Azerbaijan’s Space Agency delegation, Azercosmos, is attending SATExpo Middle East 2025 in Dubai, a leading event focused on satellite technology and the expanding space economy.
A powerful sandstorm struck Erbil, the northern Iraqi city, on Tuesday, May 13, severely disrupting daily life and significantly reducing visibility across the area.
Newly elected pontiff Pope Leo XIV has officially joined platforms like X and Instagram, with the Vatican confirming the activation of his social media accounts.
During a phone call Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni discussed opportunities for peace in the Ukraine-Russia war, as well as bilateral relations and regional developments during a phone call.
A 5.9 magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of Jalisco, Mexico.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war in Gaza will not stop until Hamas is destroyed, following the release of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander.
For the first time in history, an American has been chosen to lead the Catholic Church, as Cardinal Robert Prevost is named pope.
U.S. President Donald Trump kicked off his Gulf tour with a high-profile visit to Saudi Arabia, securing a major strategic economic agreement and pledging deep investment ties between the two nations.
A Rafale fighter jet operated by the Indian Air Force has reportedly been shot down for the first time in combat, according to sources cited by CNN, marking a significant and symbolic development in the ongoing escalation between India and Pakistan.
Azerbaijan’s Space Agency delegation, Azercosmos, is attending SATExpo Middle East 2025 in Dubai, a leading event focused on satellite technology and the expanding space economy.
During a phone call Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni discussed opportunities for peace in the Ukraine-Russia war, as well as bilateral relations and regional developments during a phone call.
Uzbekistan and China will implement a mutual visa-free travel regime beginning June 1, following the completion of all required internal procedures on both sides, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry announced.
Russia’s Rosatom has launched the production of key reactor equipment for Uzbekistan’s first small modular nuclear power plant, marking a major milestone in the bilateral energy project, Rosatom announced.
Armenian alcohol producers rallied outside the Georgian Embassy in Yerevan, demanding answers over prolonged border delays they say are blocking exports to Russia and causing major financial losses.
Azerbaijan’s Space Agency delegation, Azercosmos, is attending SATExpo Middle East 2025 in Dubai, a leading event focused on satellite technology and the expanding space economy.
A powerful sandstorm struck Erbil, the northern Iraqi city, on Tuesday, May 13, severely disrupting daily life and significantly reducing visibility across the area.
Newly elected pontiff Pope Leo XIV has officially joined platforms like X and Instagram, with the Vatican confirming the activation of his social media accounts.
During a phone call Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni discussed opportunities for peace in the Ukraine-Russia war, as well as bilateral relations and regional developments during a phone call.
A 5.9 magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of Jalisco, Mexico.
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