Passenger service to connect Mashhad and Merv, with expanded freight capacity planned
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
-
![]()
Economy25.08.26Brazil’s airports handle record 11.9 million passengers in July -
![]()
Economy25.08.26Expert: Africa needs to establish foothold in BRICS financial architecture -
![]()
Economy25.08.26Indonesia and China to boost cooperation in artificial intelligence and microchip manufacturing -
![]()
Economy25.08.26Ethiopia intends to turn Addis Ababa into African healthcare hub -
![]()
Economy24.08.26Iran’s greenhouse exports climb 12% in latest agricultural year -
![]()
Economy24.08.26China-Ethiopia trade deals exceed US$330 million as access to Chinese market expands
-
![Joao Paulo Capobianco]()
Joao Paulo CapobiancoBrazilian Minister of the Environment and Climate Change"The BRICS countries have a very high level of responsibility because they share an important part of the world's biodiversity, landscapes, populations, food production and water resources. So, we have an opportunity to lead by example. We have our development bank, which can demonstrate and develop new ways of financing programmes. We can reduce the risks for private capital to invest in restoration and efforts to combat desertification" -
![Dilma Rousseff]()
Dilma RousseffPresident of the New Development Bank"India’s BRICS Presidency this year gives special significance to our discussion. NDB stands ready to be a trusted partner in turning commitments on sustainability, clean energy, smart and resilient infrastructure into concrete results on the ground. […] For NDB, mobilising private capital is a strategic imperative. Created by the BRICS founding members, NDB is a bank of the Global South, for the Global South, mandated to mobilise resources for infrastructure and sustainable development" -
![Sihasak Phuangketkeow]()
Sihasak PhuangketkeowDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand"BRICS can play a very important role in maintaining the free flow of trade and investment. The group can also be a vehicle for all of us to engage and to look at economic opportunities"
