Iran is aiming to increase its annual rail freight volume with Turkmenistan to 4 million metric tons, according to Jabar Ali Zakeri, deputy minister of roads and urban development and CEO of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways, as reported by Trend News Agency on Wednesday, citing local media.
Zakeri stated that 1.6 million metric tons of goods were transported between the two countries by rail during the last Iranian calendar year, which ended on March 20, 2025. He noted that there is significant potential to expand cooperation by addressing existing challenges, particularly at the border terminals of Sarakhs, Lotfabad and Incheh Borun.
He also highlighted that freight discounts at the Lotfabad terminal have already had a positive impact. An estimated additional 170,000 to 200,000 metric tons could be handled through this checkpoint. The site includes a 1.8-kilometer rail segment, after which cargo is transported by road to the next rail junction.
The increase in freight volume aligns with a broader strategic agreement between Iran and Turkmenistan. Under the deal, the two nations plan to raise total transit capacity across their territories to 20 million metric tons annually by 2028.
