Khaf-Herat Rail Line Raises Iran’s Export to China & Central Asia, Says Iranian Official

Yaqoob Ali Nazari, governor of Iran's Khorasan Razavi, during the inauguration ceremony of the Khaf-Herat railway line, said that the annual capacity of this railway line is to carry six million tonnes of cargo between Afghanistan and Iran.

According to Nazari, Iran will use this railway line to increase exports and trade with China and Central Asian countries.

He stressed that the Iranian government plans to launch a passenger train on the Khaf-Herat railway route too.

Nazari said that this line connects Afghanistan to the southern ports of Iran and accelerates the transit between Afghanistan and open waters through Iran.

He added that Afghanistan will have access to Turkey and Western countries through the development of this railway.

Nazari added that Iran expects an increase in its exports to Afghanistan after the inauguration of the railway line.

This railway line was opened on Tuesday morning, in the presence of officials of the Islamic Republic and the Taliban.

The Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid conveyed a message of "brotherhood" to the Islamic Republic of Iran at the opening ceremony of this railway line and said, "We are brothers to you, brothers cooperate more, they have more rights.”

This Taliban official also expressed hope to expand cooperation with the Islamic Republic.