Iran (IMNA) - Mohammad Javad Shahjouee, a specialist in Iran’s rail transport sector, highlighted the strategic value of the Shalamcheh–Basra railway in an interview with Mehr News Agency. He described the project as central to strengthening economic and social cooperation between Iran and Iraq.
“The railway is not merely a link between two countries,” Shahjouee explained. “It plays a crucial role in the evolution of regional trade and international communications, benefiting both nations.”
While the railway prioritizes passenger transport, as underscored by agreements between the presidents of Iran and Iraq, its impact extends well beyond bilateral travel. The route is expected to open a vital corridor connecting several countries, reshaping trade dynamics across the region.
Shahjouee pointed out that annual trade between Iran and Iraq is projected to reach $20 billion in the near future. However, he stressed that existing road and rail infrastructure cannot support this volume, making investment in new transport projects essential.
He further emphasized Iran’s policy of expanding comprehensive connectivity with its neighbors, including the development of the North-South corridor toward Russia via eastern, western, and Caspian Sea waterways.
China’s growing role in this corridor also stands out; the country aims to use the Iran-Iraq railway as a route to export goods to Europe and Africa. The integration of new rail projects, such as the Shalamcheh-Basra and Herat-Mazar-e-Sharif lines, will contribute to forming a continuous railway network from China to Iraq through Iran, enhancing regional trade and cooperation.
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