First Chinese cargo train departs from Iran to China

Today, a historic milestone in Sino-Iranian relations unfolds as the first Chinese freight train embarks from Iran to China. Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian parliament, announced to Iranian media that this inaugural journey marks a significant step in enhancing bilateral economic ties.

During a session hosted by the National Security Commission, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy, Mehdi Safari, delivered a comprehensive report highlighting Iran’s strategic initiatives in transit and economic diplomacy. Notably, Iran has established the East Corridor connecting China to Europe via Kazakhstan. Additionally, Iran is progressing in electricity swaps with Pakistan, Turkey, Iraq, Armenia, Turkmenistan, and establishing connections to the Russian power grid through Azerbaijan.

Efforts are also underway to finalize a gas swap contract with Russia, positioning Iran as a pivotal gas hub in the region. “The train departing Tehran’s dry port today, laden with minerals, symbolizes a critical infrastructure project,” stated Rezaei. This initiative is expected to bolster trade between Iran and China, establishing Iran as a secure gateway for Chinese goods moving towards Europe and vice versa.

The China-Iran-Europe rail corridor is noted for its enhanced security and efficiency compared to sea transport, offering reduced transit times and cost advantages for freight owners, noted the head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (RAI). The launch of this freight train underscores the enduring cooperation and friendship between China and Iran. Relations between the two nations have flourished, particularly under the stewardship of the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, whose tenure saw significant strides, culminating in the signing of a landmark 25-Year Strategic Partnership worth $400 billion between Iran and China.

Last February, during President Raisi’s state visit to Beijing—the first by an Iranian leader in over two decades—the two nations signed 20 agreements spanning trade, transportation, information technology, tourism, agriculture, and crisis response, collectively worth billions of dollars. Given the lengthy and hazardous sea route traditionally linking China to West Asia and Europe, the rail corridor emerges as the most viable, secure, and cost-effective alternative for accessing destination markets in these regions.

Looking ahead, Iran plans to ramp up cargo transportation through Turkmenistan, leveraging the capabilities of the China-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway. This strategic route promises transit times of approximately two weeks for goods traveling between China and Europe. At an international summit held in Tajikistan earlier this June, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development highlighted Iran’s strategic advantages for facilitating goods transit between China and Europe.

Emphasizing Iran’s pivotal role in the North-South and East-West corridors, he underscored the geographical advantages for transportation across regional countries such as China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Turkey. In his address, the Iranian official also discussed Iran’s proactive stance in enhancing transportation infrastructure within landlocked regional countries. 

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