Iran Press/ Asia: Jabarali Zakeri, Iran's Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development and CEO of the Iranian National Railways emphasized the strategic importance of Iran’s geographical location as a bridge between East and West Asia, and a corridor connecting Europe and Asia. "Iran offers the shortest and safest transit routes between Central Asia, international waters, and Europe," he stated during the summit's closing session.
Zakeri introduced three actionable initiatives to the SCO member states: A proposed trilateral meeting between Iran, Russia, and Azerbaijan to harmonize tariffs and boost freight traffic; formation of a specialized working group to identify and resolve border issues and explore unconnected rail segments for future development; and the creation of financial frameworks to secure funding for the construction of critical railway links.
Iran's rail infrastructure serves as a crucial transit hub, connecting to Central Asia with Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, and also links to Turkey and Pakistan, enabling vital regional trade. Ongoing projects include the Shamtigh-Rozenk route (62 km) and the Shalamcheh-Basra rail connection. The network also integrates key southern ports, such as Bandar Abbas, Imam Khomeini, and Khorramshahr, with northern Caspian Sea ports, including Amirabad and the Caspian Port. Notable projects under development include connections to Chabahar on the Sea of Oman and Bandar Anzali on the Caspian Sea.
Zakeri highlighted Iran’s role in several global corridors: the North-South Corridor, with ongoing negotiations with Russia to complete the Rasht-Astara rail link within Iran; China-Europe Routes, including participation in the southern branch of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Almaty-Bandar Abbas corridor; and the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul Route, facilitating trade between South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
With Iran's recent permanent membership in the SCO, Zakeri noted accelerated economic and trade collaborations with member countries. He stated, “This membership has provided new opportunities to strengthen transit partnerships and establish Iran as a logistics hub in the region.”
In an interview with Iran Press, Zakeri reiterated Iran’s commitment to improving international rail transit and creating seamless conditions for transporting goods from China, Russia, and Central Asia to South Asia and Europe. He described ongoing efforts to operationalize international transit corridors through improved facilities and increased capacity. The summit showcased Iran’s dedication to leveraging its strategic location and advancing regional and international logistics, positioning itself as a key player in global trade networks.
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