Iran Expands Railway Network Toward Turkmenistan, Tajikistan

Iran is preparing to expand its railway network with new international routes to the Central Asian cities of Mary in Turkmenistan and Dushanbe in Tajikistan, as part of a broader initiative to strengthen regional cooperation and modernize its transport infrastructure.

The announcement was made by Jabbar Ali Zakeri, CEO of the Raja Passenger Train Company, who emphasized that the move aligns with Iran’s strategic objective to deepen ties with neighboring countries across Central Asia, The Caspian Post reports, citing Tajik media.

“These new routes are a key part of Iran’s long-term strategy to strengthen ties with neighboring Central Asian countries,” Zakeri said. “Following a five-year hiatus, we have already resumed the Tehran-Van [Türkiye] rail service, and preparations are now underway for direct rail connections with Mary and Dushanbe.”

While no official start date has been set for the Turkmenistan and Tajikistan services, Iran is also finalizing plans to launch two other international lines. A Tehran-Ankara route is expected to open within the next two months, and a Tehran-Herat (Afghanistan) line is scheduled to commence operations by the end of next month.

“These new lines will open vital corridors for both passenger and cargo movement,” Zakeri noted, highlighting their potential to enhance trade, attract investment, and facilitate regional connectivity.

He also stressed the importance of expanding tourism-focused rail services, pointing to Iran’s rich historical and cultural railway network as a valuable asset for economic growth and job creation in the tourism and hospitality sectors.

However, Zakeri acknowledged existing challenges, particularly the gap between infrastructure development and rolling stock availability. Although Iran constructs between 150 and 300 kilometers of new railway track annually, outdated trains and locomotives pose operational limitations. To bridge this gap, the government is expecting the delivery of 300 new passenger coaches in 2025 and has signed an agreement with Chinese manufacturers for additional rail vehicles.

Currently, Iran and Tajikistan maintain direct air connections, with Somon Air and Varesh Airlines operating flights between Dushanbe and Tehran, while Varesh also flies between Dushanbe and Mashhad.