Rail freight shipments between Afghanistan and Iran have surged to around 130,000 tons per month, marking a dramatic expansion in bilateral trade and underscoring Afghanistan’s growing reliance on Iranian transport and trade corridors.

According to data from Iran’s railway administration cited by the Iranian Embassy in Kabul, the current monthly volume represents a sharp increase from an annual rail cargo volume of less than 15,000 tons previously.

Iranian authorities said annual rail freight throughput between the two countries is now expected to reach approximately 1.5 million tons, highlighting the rapidly expanding role of railway connections in Afghanistan’s foreign trade.

The increase comes as Afghanistan has increasingly turned toward alternative trade routes following the suspension and disruption of commercial activity through Pakistan.

Facing difficulties along its traditional trade corridor, the Islamic Emirate has sought to diversify Afghanistan’s import and export routes, with Iran emerging as a key gateway for trade with regional and international markets.

The growing volume of rail cargo has further strengthened Iran’s position as Afghanistan’s largest trading partner, while expanding economic ties between the two neighboring countries.

Iranian transit infrastructure, particularly railway connections linking Afghanistan with Iranian ports and broader regional markets, has become increasingly important for Kabul’s efforts to maintain stable access to goods and reduce dependence on a single trade route.

The surge in freight traffic also reflects the broader shift in Afghanistan’s regional trade strategy, as the country seeks to deepen economic relations with neighboring states and develop alternative corridors for the movement of goods.

With annual rail cargo volumes projected to reach 1.5 million tons, Afghanistan-Iran railway cooperation is expected to remain a central component of the two countries’ expanding economic and commercial relationship. (ILKHA)