First Iran–Afghanistan Passenger Train Departs from Mashhad to Herat

DID Press: The first passenger train between Iran and Afghanistan departed on Wednesday, October 15, from Mashhad’s Tappeh Salam station to Rozanak station in Herat Province, Afghanistan, marking a new milestone in regional connectivity.

Earlier, Amir Tavakoli-Roudi, a member of Iran’s Parliamentary Commission on Industry and Mines, had announced that the inaugural passenger train on the Mashhad–Khaf–Herat railway line would leave around 11 a.m. local time on Wednesday.

According to Tavakoli-Roudi, the completion of the Khaf–Herat railway has now linked the city of Herat directly to Iran’s national rail network.

This connection is expected not only to facilitate passenger travel but also to boost economic and cultural ties between the two neighboring countries.

He added that the train, with an approximate capacity of 400 passengers, will provide a convenient means of transportation and serve as a bridge for expanding trade and cultural cooperation between Iran and Afghanistan.

Officials view the launch of this passenger service as a positive step toward strengthening bilateral relations, easing the movement of travelers and traders, and increasing commercial and cultural exchanges.

The new railway line is expected to open fresh opportunities for economic growth and closer regional cooperation between the two nations.