Tehran, July 20 (MRUD NEWS)—Iran Transport Ministry hosted China ambassador to Tehran and his delegation yesterday to negotiate on facilitation of East-West transit from China to Europe through Iran. 

The geopolitical location and current infrastructures of Iran potentially make the county as the regional transit hub along East-West Corridor to transit China's freights to Europe, explained deputy transport minister, Shahriyar Afandizadeh. 

Along the North-South Corridor, there are three influential rail corridors ahead of Iran which would facilitate transit.

The most important corridor is linking Bandar Abbas Port to the eastern corridor and Astara which by completion of Rasht-Astara Railroad will extend Iran rail network from Bandar Abbas Port to northern Russia. 

Another route is from Sarakhs to the Bandar Abbas Port which is currently under operation and recent transit of Russia's freight to India had been through this corridor southwards to Bandar Abbas Port. 

In Chabahar, the rail connection from Chabahar to Zahedan northwards to Sarakhs would shorten North-South Corridor through eastern Iran which subsequently facilitates China's access to the Persian Gulf and southern countries. 

It is expected that with completion of remaining railway and infrastructural projects that link Iran railway corridors, Iran would turn to a regional hub for transit both along North-South and East-West Corridors.

Afandizadeh pointed to the potentials of Iran northern ports including Astara, Amirabad, and Anzali Ports for investments in line with development of transport corridors. Moreover, the country has development of logistics centers on its agenda.   

Last year Iran transited 11.5 million tons freights and targets 20 million tons freight transit per year.