During his visit to China, Zakri, Chairman of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railway Company, held working talks with Guo Zhuxue, Chairman of China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. Both sides have reached an important consensus on deepening cooperation in the railway field. The Islamic Republic of Iran has signed a contract with Chinese companies to carry out major upgrades and renovations of the east-west railway corridor within its borders.

Project Overview

This renovation project involves approximately 1000 kilometers of east-west railway mainline in the Islamic Republic of Iran, mainly including two major construction contents: electrification renovation of the entire line and upgrading of double tracks in key sections

The project connects the Sarahez Port in the northeast of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Razi Port in the west. After the renovation is completed, the annual railway freight capacity will increase from 5 million tons to 15 million tons, significantly improving transportation efficiency.

Significance of cooperation

Guo Zhuxue, Chairman of China National Railway Group Co., Ltd., stated that China attaches great importance to cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran in the railway field. Since the resumption of China Iran container trains in 2024, both sides have made positive progress in cooperation. This project will further deepen the infrastructure connectivity between the two countries and promote regional economic and trade exchanges.

The railway network of the Islamic Republic of Iran mainly adopts a standard gauge of 1.435 meters, with only a 1.676 meter wide gauge used in the 94 kilometer section of the border with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Its railway network connects Turkmenistan, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Republic of Türkiye and other surrounding countries. The East West Railway Corridor plays an important strategic role in regional transportation.

Future development

The Islamic Republic of Iran is actively promoting the construction of transportation infrastructure, aiming to become a regional transportation hub connecting China, the Republic of India, the Russian Federation, Central Asia, and the Middle East. This railway renovation project is an important measure to implement the 25 year comprehensive cooperation agreement between China and Iran in 2021.

Zakri also invited Chinese companies to participate in the development and construction of the Aprin Railway Dry Port in southwestern Tehran. The port has become an important node for China Iran freight trains since 2024, playing a crucial role in promoting regional logistics development. (This article is from www.seetao.com, the official website of Daodao, and cannot be reproduced without permission. Otherwise, it will be prosecuted. Please specify the website of Daodao+the original link for reproduction.) See the editor of the the Belt and Road column of Daodao/Yang Beihua