Iran transnational railway infrastructure development

Iran is advancing several transnational railway projects to enhance regional connectivity through various corridors.

In cooperation with Russia, Iran is nearing an executive agreement for the Rasht-Astara railway. This 162-kilometer stretch is a critical component of the International North-South Transport Corridor, intended to facilitate cargo transit toward Europe. Kazem Jalali, Iran's ambassador to Russia, stated that the two nations are planning a signing ceremony for the agreement to be attended by high-ranking officials. Beyond rail, the two nations are discussing energy cooperation, including Russian gas transfers and the development of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant.

Simultaneously, Iran and Turkey have reached a milestone in their joint railway connection project through the exchange of a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The project aims to connect the Iranian railway network to the Turkish system via a new border point at Çeşme-i Süreyya. The proposed 324-kilometer route will run from Khavaran through Tabriz and Merend. This project, which serves the East-West corridor, will be executed under an EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) model. Following the formal contract, a contractor will conduct complementary studies and second-phase surveys, with construction expected to begin after an initial six-month preliminary period.