Iranian Train Completes First Transit Through Turkmenistan

For the first time, an Iranian cargo train has crossed Turkmenistan on its way to Bukhara, Uzbekistan.

The 40-car train, fully made in Iran, carried metallurgical products, including direct reduced iron, from Sarakhs on the Iranian-Turkmen border, The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek media.

This transit marks a major milestone, as direct passage of Iranian rail cars through CIS countries was previously prohibited. The operation became possible after lengthy negotiations.

The route is part of a six-country railway agreement among Iran, China, Uzbekistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan, aimed at boosting trade and creating an efficient China-Europe transport corridor. The east-west rail link is expected to cut delivery times by about one-third compared to maritime routes.

The first transit also highlights Turkmenistan’s growing role as a key link in the strategic Asia-Europe route. In November, the first Russian cargo train similarly passed through Turkmenistan to Iran, carrying a large shipment of goods.