TEHRAN- The Islamic Republic of Iran Railways has issued a statement affirming its stance against any unauthorized encroachment on its railway territory. This announcement comes in response to the recent intrusion by the private entity known as the "Afghanistan Railway Consortium" into Iranian railway zones.

According to the statement, the operation of any railway vehicles, including locomotives and wagons, within the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran is strictly regulated and requires prior authorization following the laws governing the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways.

The statement further clarified that this regulation applies universally, with no exceptions for individuals, legal entities, or private companies, whether Iranian or foreign.

It was reported that in recent days, representatives of the Afghanistan Railway Consortium engaged in unlawful activities within Iranian railway territory, including physical assaults on Iranian railway staff and vandalism of their vehicles.

Additionally, it was noted that agents of the Afghanistan Railway Consortium unlawfully accessed a station by forcibly breaking the lock on the building.

In May 2023, the inaugural trial shipment of cargo from Iran to Afghanistan via the Khaf-Herat railway was completed. This shipment consisted of 17 wagons carrying 655 tons of railway equipment intended for the construction of the rail line. The Khaf-Herat railway spans 225 kilometers, with 140 kilometers in Afghanistan and 85 kilometers in Iran.

As per the cooperation agreement established between Iran's railway authority and the Iran-Afghanistan Rail Development Consortium, both parties recognize the significance of developing the China-Afghanistan-Iran railway corridor.