Iran and Turkmenistan to launch first passenger train

Iran and Turkmenistan have agreed to introduce the first cross-border passenger train service, strengthening Iran's economic ties with Central Asia. According to Iran’s Transport Minister, Farzaneh Sadegh, announced plans to trial a route linking Mashhad, Iran, with Turkmenistan’s city of Merv. The service could later extend access for Iranian travellers to Uzbekistan.

The two nations also aim to double freight volumes on their shared rail networks. The agreement follows recent discussions in Ashgabat, where officials set a target of 10 million metric tonnes of annual cargo transit by 2027, as reported by Press TV, a partner of TV BRICS.

As part of the expansion, Iran will open a new rail connection via the Lotfabad crossing, while Turkmenistan plans to add tracks at Sarakhs to handle increased trade.

Photo: Press TV