Iran and Iraq: A railway line will be built between these countries

Iran and Iraq have reached a preliminary agreement to begin construction of a 32-kilometer railway line between the cities of Basra (Iraq's main port) and the border with Shalamche (Iran). The cost of the work is estimated at $ 150 million.

The new line will connect Iran with Syria and the Mediterranean countries. It is also planned to organize transit freight traffic from Asia to Europe through it. Plans for the future construction of the railway were discussed at a meeting of heads of transport ministries of the two countries in Iraq in late June 2021.

In particular, the parties discussed issues related to the purchase of plots in the area of ​​the highway in Iraq, as well as the preparation of agreements on the equipment of production bases, topographic surveys and drilling operations on both sides of the border.

In mid-May 2021, the Iranian Ministry of Roads and Urban Development announced that Iranian investors would finance the project. According to Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Qadimi, 15 agreements and memoranda of understanding have also been signed with Egypt and Jordan on energy supplies and transport in connection with the construction of the new railway line.