ECONOMY — June 21, 2026
Combined rail transit from Iraq to Afghanistan via Kermanshah, Iran, begins
The first shipment completed logistical procedures at the Kermanshah cargo station before transfer to Iranian rail lines for eastward delivery. Iranian railway official Ahmad Turki called the route activation a turning point that supports policies to increase transit cargo and commercial exchanges.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Afghanistan International — 2 min read

The combined rail transit of goods from Iraq to Afghanistan via Kermanshah in Iran has begun. This development involves the movement of cargo using rail connections through Iranian territory.
The initial shipment underwent logistical procedures at the Kermanshah cargo station. Following these steps, it was transferred to Iranian rail lines and dispatched eastward toward Afghanistan.
Ahmad Turki, an Iranian railway official, spoke about the significance of this transit route. He stated that the shipment marks a turning point in line with national policies. These policies focus on boosting transit cargo volumes, expanding commercial exchanges, and enhancing the contribution of rail transport to regional corridors. Turki also pointed out the potential for the route to be utilized repeatedly and to experience further growth over time.
The province of Kermanshah maintains a border exceeding 371 kilometers with Iraq. This border area features two official crossings along with five active border markets. Annual exports from these border points reach nearly three billion dollars.
The activation of this rail transit path is viewed as supportive of efforts to develop combined transport options across the area.
Read the original reporting at Afghanistan International →
Reliability assessment
Single source provides direct on-record attribution from named official Ahmad Turki via IRNA with concrete details on the shipment, route, and border statistics
The source language reads straight.
Independent web corroboration
A separate web search returned 8 matching reports. A selection:
Iran has launched its first joint rail transit shipment from Iraq to Afghanistan via the Kermanshah freight station, the country’s Rail Directorate reported on Saturday.
- Combined rail transit from Iraq to Afghanistan begins from Kermanshah railway station - Tehran Timestehrantimes.com
TEHRAN- The Director General of ... transit, the first combined rail transit shipment from Iraq to Afghanistan was operationalized through the western axis of the country and Kermanshah freight station....
Across the newsrooms
Filed by
Afghanistan International
Originating
Reported straight
Reported straight
Filed under
Economy — Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Kermanshah, rail transit
Spotted an error or have more on this story? Tip the desk on Telegram → or WhatsApp →.
Reader supported
Keep Ehtebar running
Every published story uses paid tools to translate reporting, compare sources, extract claims, and produce a clearer read on Afghanistan. Reader support helps keep that work independent.
€5
helps cover daily verification runs
€15
supports a week of source comparison
€50
keeps independent analysis moving



