Why it matters:
The planned rail network between Iran and Iraq is more than an infrastructure project — it is a strategic step toward deeper regional integration, trade facilitation, and enhanced stability amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
Driving the news:
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called on Iraq to accelerate work on a joint rail link connecting the two countries, saying the project will strengthen regional economic ties and foster broader connectivity across West Asia.
The big picture:
During a meeting with Iraqi National Security Advisor Qassem al-Araji and his delegation in Tehran on Tuesday, President Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran–Iraq relations are at an “excellent level” and that expanding cooperation will benefit not only the two nations but the wider Islamic world.
The discussions also touched on trade, cultural ties, and regional security coordination.
What he is saying:
Pezeshkian said, “Speeding up the implementation of this project by the Iraqi government, in addition to strengthening commercial, economic, and cultural relations between the two countries, will pave the way for broader regional connectivity and solidify economic bonds.”
He added that completing the railway and creating joint free zones “will bring security and lead to economic prosperity across the region.”
The president also stressed Iran’s unity-oriented outlook, stating, “From a faith-based perspective, we consider all the people of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region our brothers, regardless of ethnic or sectarian distinctions. The key to the dignity of the Islamic Ummah lies in strengthening fraternal bonds and avoiding internal disputes fueled by enemies.”
The Iranian President underscored the need for Islamic unity to counter “US and Zionist plots” against the region.
The other side:
Iraqi National Security Advisor Qassem al-Araji echoed Pezeshkian’s remarks, saying, “The security of Iran and Iraq is inseparable.” He reaffirmed Baghdad’s full commitment to the bilateral security treaty, emphasizing that Iraq’s borders with Iran “must remain among the safest in the region.”
Al-Araji described the railway connection as a “strategic move” that will promote political and economic convergence between the two neighbors, adding that Iraq “firmly supports this project.”
He further noted that a “historic opportunity” exists for enhanced regional cooperation that could expand economic and political engagement across neighboring states.
State of play:
Tehran and Baghdad have increasingly aligned on economic and security matters, presenting a united front against regional instability. Their efforts to integrate transportation and trade infrastructure could reshape the regional economic landscape.
Between the lines:
By emphasizing unity, economic interdependence, and resistance to external interference, Iran and Iraq are signaling a shared intent to build a regional order less reliant on Western frameworks and more grounded in mutual security and development.
Go deeper:
The Iran–Iraq railway project fits into Tehran’s broader vision for a regional transport corridor connecting the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean and Central Asia — a long-term strategy aimed at boosting trade, reducing foreign dependency, and cementing Iran’s role as a transit hub in West Asia.
Zohre Khazaee - ahmad shirzadian
