Iran and Uzbekistan to double rail freight trade by 2026

Iran and Uzbekistan have agreed to more than double rail freight volumes to two million tonnes by 2026, following talks between officials from the railway authorities of both countries.

According to the Tehran Times, a partner of TV BRICS, the plan represents a sharp increase from the 476,000 tonnes exchanged in the first eight months of 2025.

Officials discussed ways to ease wagon transit, harmonise tariffs, and expand cross-border trade. Iran described Uzbekistan as a key hub on the East–West corridor with significant potential for deeper cooperation.

Current flows are already rising, the report noted, with Iran reporting higher exports and greater transit traffic through its territory to open waters.

Both countries expressed confidence that the new targets will drive growth in transit, exports, imports, and wagon exchanges across the wider region.

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