Iran Sets Historic Transit Record Under 14th Administration with Minister’s Initiative

-MRUDNEWS- Amin Taraffo, Senior Advisor to the Minister and Head of the International Affairs Center at the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, announced that a record-breaking 20 million tons of cargo were transported through Iran’s borders in 2024. This achievement, he noted, stems from the minister’s strategic negotiations in bilateral and multilateral discussions, positioning Iran’s transit routes as safe, cost-effective and efficient for neighboring countries.

In an interview with the ministry’s news outlet, Dr. Taraffo highlighted the ministry’s international and transit performance since the start of the 14th administration. “For the first time in our country’s transport history, we reached a transit record of 20 million tons of cargo across our borders,” he stated. “This was made possible by H.E the Minister’s support and initiatives in international negotiations, presenting Iran as a prime transit route to neighboring nations.”

He added that in the previous year, Iran hosted the 17th Intergovernmental Commission of the TRACECA annual gathering, with representatives from 14 countries participating at the ministerial and deputy ministerial levels. This, he said, reflects Iran’s proactive approach to boosting transit operations.

Dr. Taraffo further announced that the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development has dubbed 2025 as the “Year of Transit Leap.” He stressed the ministry’s efforts to launch the ECO Rail Corridor before the anticipated ECO Transport Ministers’ Summit. Following the corridor’s pilot launch, scheduled services will be promptly initiated.

The ministry is also working to standardize rail transport documents in transit corridors (CIM-SMGS) with neighboring countries, enabling the electronic exchange of rail freight documents.

Mr. Taraffo also highlighted recent advancements in revitalizing and expanding border road and rail infrastructure with neighboring states. “In the last six months of the previous year, under the minister’s leadership, bilateral relations with regional neighbors were transformed one after another. Some challenges, particularly concerning transportation costs, were resolved through mutual cooperation and a friendly atmosphere,” he stated