Iran nears completion of strategic Chabahar-Zahedan railway

Iran is nearing the completion of the Chabahar-Zahedan railway, a critical infrastructure project designed to connect the Chabahar Port on the Gulf of Oman to Zahedan near the Afghan border. Railway official Abbas Khatibi confirmed that track laying is complete for the 480km section between Chabahar and Khash, with current efforts focused on finishing station construction.

The 630km line serves as an extension of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), supported by India, Iran, and Russia. The route provides a strategic gateway for India to access Eurasia, Afghanistan, and Central Asia without transiting through Pakistan or the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime chokepoint currently impacted by regional conflicts.

While the project offers significant trade advantages, its development has faced decades of delays due to massive infrastructure requirements and Western sanctions on Iran and Russia. Additionally, India's $120 million investment faces complexities following the expiration of conditional U.S. sanctions waivers in April.