Iran and Turkey agree to launch construction of strategic cross-border railway
Iran and Turkey announced on Sunday that they will begin construction of a new cross-border railway designed to become a key transit link for trade between Europe and Asia. The agreement was confirmed during a diplomatic meeting in Tehran between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan.
Iran, positioned at the intersection of the Middle East, Europe and Central Asia, views strategic transport corridors as essential tools to revitalize its economy, which has suffered for decades under international sanctions. By strengthening cooperation with neighboring countries, Tehran hopes to boost commercial exchanges and upgrade regional infrastructure.
The planned rail line—known in Iran as the Marand–Cheshmeh Soraya route—was approved last year. Officials estimate that the 200-kilometre project will cost around 1.6 billion dollars and take three to four years to complete.
Both ministers stressed the importance of the new line for regional trade and emphasized the need to eliminate barriers to investment and economic cooperation. Once finished, the railway will connect the Iranian city of Marand to Cheshmeh Soraya, near the Turkish border, providing a continuous rail corridor extending into the Turkish town of Aralik.
Iran’s Transport Minister, Farzaneh Sadegh, recently highlighted that the project will help ensure uninterrupted railway connectivity between China and Europe, aligning with broader Eurasian transport initiatives.
The Middle East has historically served as a backbone of the ancient Silk Roads, the trade routes that facilitated economic and cultural exchange between continents for centuries. Since 2013, China has revived this legacy through the Belt and Road Initiative, aimed at developing global transport and logistics networks. More than one hundred countries now participate in the program.
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