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Iran, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are celebrating a significant milestone in the development of regional logistics: for the first time, an Iranian freight train, consisting of Iranian-made wagons, has received permission and made a direct trip to Central Asia.
This step, taken as part of railway diplomacy and regional agreements, opens a new avenue for developing trade and strengthening Iran's position in the East-West corridor.
According to Shahriar Naghizadeh, Director General of Foreign Trade of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways, the first train departed from the Sarakhs border crossing (Iran/Turkmenistan) to Bukhara (Uzbekistan) on Monday, December 1, 2025.
The train, consisting of 40 Iranian-made wagons, carries ferrous metallurgy products, including sponge iron, and reaches its destination via Turkmenistan.
This route was significant, as Iranian rail traffic had previously been restricted from transiting directly through the CIS countries; cargo could only be transported in foreign wagons.
The direct presence of Iranian wagons on this route was made possible through a thorough negotiation process, according to Tinn News, a specialized Iranian transport publication.
This success follows the recent six-party railway agreement signed between Iran, China, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan. The main goal of this agreement is to expand trade and create an efficient route from China to Europe via Iran.
By optimizing the East-West railway corridor, cargo transportation time can be reduced by a third compared to sea routes. The launch of the first Iranian train to Uzbekistan via Turkmenistan confirms Turkmenistan's status as a key transit link on the strategic route connecting Asia and Europe.
ORIENT
