Tehran, September 14, 2024 (MRUD NEWS)—President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, who was accompanied by Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadegh, on a three-day trip, stressed the importance of advancing the 32-kilometer rail link that aims to connect Iran’s and Iraq’s rail networks.

In a statement, President Pezeshkian declared, “I will diligently pursue the establishment of the Shalamcheh-Basra railway.” He further commented, “This is the first step, and I will pursue any way that helps Iran and Iraq get closer to each other.”

Pezeshkian highlighted the strategic vision behind the project, noting, “Like European countries, Muslim countries should be able to be easily connected to each other by rail lines, and the Shalamcheh-Basra railway can achieve this.”

Minister Sadegh also addressed the project during the visit, stating, “Consultations and negotiations have been conducted with the Iraqi authorities to complete the Shalamcheh-Basra railway project and strengthen the road sector.”

She added, “Due to the strategic position of Iran and Iraq, the rail, road, and transit sectors were highly regarded by both countries in these meetings.” Sadegh also emphasized the broader regional importance of the project, noting Iraq’s relationships with its neighbors, including Syria, and Iran’s connections to China and India.

The Shalamcheh-Basra railway, which will be jointly constructed by Iran and Iraq, is expected to significantly enhance the connectivity between the two countries and boost their economic interactions.