TEHRAN – Newly appointed head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railway (known as RAI) has said a new passenger rail line is going to be launched between Iran’s capital Tehran and Turkey’s eastern city of Van.

Jabar-Ali Zakeri said RAI is taking new measures to expand the country’s passenger railway fleet, Tasnim News Agency reported.

Iran and Turkey had already launched a passenger rail line between Tehran and Van in 2019 but it was suspended due to some geopolitical issues.

Located near the Iranian border, Van is a tourist attraction for its natural wonders and historic monuments. Over the years, it has become a top destination for Iranian tourists, especially during Iranian national holidays.

Iran exported non-oil goods worth $2.4 billion to Turkey in the first half of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20-Septemebr 21). As reported, Turkey was the fourth export destination of Iran among its other neighbors during the six-month period.

As reported, Turkey was the fourth export destination of Iran among its other neighbors during the six-month period.

Iran also imported commodities worth $5.1 billion from Turkey, which made the country the third source of import for Iran in the first half of the year.

In early July, Director of Asia and the Pacific Office of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) International Affairs Department Niloufar Asadi said a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Iran and Turkey should replace the previous trade agreements between the two countries to boost economic exchanges.

EF/MA