Train route between Iran and Turkey reestablished

The first train service on the Tehran – Van route resumed on March 10, breaking a five-year service interruption. Iranian and Turkish authorities had been negotiating the route's restoration throughout 2024, officially announcing a breakthrough in January.
According to the newly established schedule, the train will operate bi-weekly. Departures from Tehran are set for Sundays and Wednesdays, with return trips from Van scheduled for Mondays and Thursdays. The full journey takes approximately 22 hours.
Said Rasuli, Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development of Iran, expressed optimism, stating, "If this route receives a positive reception, we'll proceed with launching the Tehran – Ankara train service in the next phase." Historically, both routes were widely utilized by travelers.
The railway connection between Iran and Turkey has experienced significant challenges. The Tehran – Van line was initially suspended in 2015 due to Kurdish militant attacks. Service was briefly restored in 2019, including a route connecting the two national capitals.

Rajab Safarov, Director of the Center for Contemporary Iran Studies, anticipates the development of cross-border trade and potential expansion to cargo transportation in the near future.
"Regular railway communication between Iran and Turkey represents, among other things, virtually a strategic component of the Chinese 'Belt and Road' Initiative," Safarov explained. "Iran and Turkey are strategically positioning themselves at the critical intersection of North-South and East-West transport corridors, creating a complementary logistics network."

The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily disrupted previous restoration efforts, making the current route reopening particularly significant.
Notably, the railway route is being restored amid the ongoing conflict in Syria, where tensions persist between government forces backed by Turkey and the Alawites, whom Iran views as fellow Shiites.

Political dynamics won't hinder economic cooperation, insists Alexander Karavaev, an expert at the Caspian Institute of Strategic Studies.
"Middle Eastern economic actors typically maintain trade and investment relationships independently of political fluctuations. Commercial interests often transcend diplomatic complexities, irrespective of the current relations between Tehran and Ankara," the expert notes.
He highlighted that in 2023, Turkey and Iran signed an agreement to enhance railway connectivity. Specifically, Iran pledged to increase the border crossing capacity to 200 rail cars daily. Turkey, meanwhile, announced plans to modernize the ferry crossing over Lake Van. The initiative aims to boost railway freight volumes to 1 million tons annually.

While Russia may not have a direct stake in this project, from a strategic standpoint, it is crucial for our country that the regional communication network remains robust and offers flexible logistics options. Iran's transportation infrastructure serves as a critical junction where East-West and North-South corridors converge. Any positive development in any direction will ultimately enhance the overall network's efficiency, explains Alexander Karavaev.