TEHRAN – The head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (RAI), in a meeting with the head of Afghanistan Railway, said the country is eyeing to connect its railway network to China via Afghanistan, the portal of Iran’s Transport Ministry reported.

“Due to the proximity of Iran, Afghanistan, and China, this route [Iran-Afghanistan-China] is the only route that can shorten the transit route and reduce the costs, so completing the Herat rail route based on a specific schedule is very important,” Jabar-Ali Zakeri said in the meeting with Mohammad Ishaq Sahibzadeh.

In this meeting, Zakari stated that Iran is determined to support the development of Afghanistan's railways, noting that “the existence of a railway line in the northwest of Afghanistan and the proximity to the common border with Iran is a great opportunity for transit between the two countries.”

Referring to the training courses held for Afghan railway employees in the past years, the RAI head emphasized: “According to Afghanistan's request, soon the third training course for Afghan railway employees will be held.”

According to Zakeri, many of the problems faced by the Iran-Afghanistan Railway Consortium have been resolved and, currently, three trains a week are running on the designated route between the two countries.

Further in this meeting, Sahibzadeh also pointed to the growing cooperation between the railways of Iran and Afghanistan, while appreciating the training programs for 96 employees of Afghanistan Railways by Iran Railways.

“Due to the successful holding of the first and second courses, we are now waiting for the third course,” he said.

Sahibzadeh stated that the Khaf-Herat railway project depicts the friendship between the two countries, adding: “We hope that with cooperation, we will see an increase in transit, and as a result, the growth and promotion of trade between the two countries.”

EF/MA