Tehran (IP) – Iran's Minister of Roads and Urban Development said that the country's priority is to extend its economic, transportation, and transit ties in various ways with regional counties more than ever.

Iran PressIran News: In response to the Iran Press question on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the training course for Afghan railway staff, Mohammad Eslami said, "Iran seeks to extend trade exchanges via railway infrastructure to connect East parts of the world to the West via active Silk Road." 

Eslami highlighted that Iran's current week's meetings, phone calls, and signed memoranda of understanding with Turkey and Azerbaijan to extend its relations, saying that today Iran has kicked off a 52-day training course for Afghan young railway staff. 

He pointed to the Khaf-Herat railway between Iran and Afghanistan and said it was for the first time that the goods were transported to Turkey via Khaf-Herat railway, and the minister noted. 

The minister stressed with new development, extending railway infrastructure, and signing multi and bilateral memoranda of understanding, and the trading exchange would be increased.   

"This year, Iran's trading exchange via railway terminals has increased with Azerbaijan Republic (25%), Sarakhs (30%), and even Turkey, indicating that the coronavirus has not halted Iran's trading with others," he reminded.

The 225-km Khaf-Herat railroad project can transfer six million tons of goods and one million passengers a year.

The operation of the Khaf-Herat railway is an important step in developing the railway network, which can increase Iran's share in the transit of goods between Europe and Asia and strengthen its position in the east-west corridors.

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