Tehran (IP)- Following previous agreements for a rail connection between Iran and Iraq stretching from Shalamcheh (in Iran) to Basra (in Iraq), construction of this strategic railroad will be kicked off today.

Iran PressIran news: Iran Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Mehrdad Bazr-Pash, has traveled to the city of Abadan in Southwestern Khuzestan province on Saturday along with the first Vice President of Iran, Mohammad Mokhber, in order to start the construction operation of the Shalamcheh-Basra Railway. 

The negotiations for a 32 km railway between Iran and Iraq have been ongoing for about 20 years, and the recent completion of the Shalamcheh-Basra Railway marks a historical link between the two countries.

The construction begins after the initial agreement signed in December 2021, the implementation agreement in April 2023, and the signing of an MoU for technical measures between Iran and Iraq Railways in May 2023. 

The completion of the Shalamcheh-Basra Railway will boost trade and commerce between Iran and Iraq. It also provides access to other Eastern countries through Iran's railway network to the Western and Mediterranean countries.  

After construction, this railway line will play an important role in facilitating travel between Iran and Iraq, especially in the pilgrimage cities of Najaf and Karbala. 

The railway lines in Iran are connected to the border point of Shalamcheh. Also, in Iraq, the railway is connected from Basra to cities such as Karbala and Baghdad, and if there is a connection between Shalamcheh and Basra, the rail network of the two countries will be connected to each other.

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