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Iran Completes Chabahar-Zahedan Railway, Expanding India’s Regional Access
Iran has finished building a long railway between Chabahar and Zahedan.
Chabahar is a port on Iran’s southeastern coast, while Zahedan is near Afghanistan.
The railway is 730 kilometers long and has many stations, tunnels and bridges.
Trains are expected to begin full service after safety checks.
This route could help Afghanistan and Central Asian countries reach ocean trade routes more easily.
India is interested because the railway connects with its work at Chabahar Port.
India and Iran are still discussing how the port should be managed.
United States sanctions have made the port project more uncertain.
Supporters see the railway as a useful new trade route, while critics point to the continuing sanctions and operational uncertainty.
Iran has completed the 730-kilometer Chabahar-Zahedan railway linking its southeastern coast with Zahedan near Afghanistan’s border.
The line includes 33 stations, 39 tunnels and 201 bridges, but full operations are expected after final safety inspections within three to four months.
The railway could give Afghanistan and Central Asian countries another route to maritime trade through the Indian Ocean.
The project comes as India and Iran discuss New Delhi’s continuing role in developing and operating the Shahid Beheshti terminal at Chabahar Port.
Chabahar’s future has been affected by changing United States sanctions policies, including a conditional waiver for India that expired on April 26, 2026.
- Who
- Iran completed the railway, while India and Iran are discussing Chabahar Port operations and connectivity.
- What
- A 730-kilometer railway connecting Chabahar with Zahedan has been completed.
- Where
- The railway runs through southeastern Iran from Chabahar to Zahedan near the Afghanistan border.
- When
- Construction has been completed; full operations are expected within three to four months after final safety inspections.
- Why
- The route is intended to improve access for India, Afghanistan and Central Asian countries to regional trade and Indian Ocean maritime routes.
Connectivity Benefits
Sanctions and Operational Concerns
Regional trade
Connectivity Benefits
Supporters say the railway can provide India, Afghanistan and Central Asia with an additional route to maritime trade through Chabahar and the Indian Ocean.
Sanctions and Operational Concerns
The project’s practical benefits remain subject to final safety inspections, future port arrangements and the effects of changing United States sanctions policies.
India’s role at Chabahar
Connectivity Benefits
India’s participation could strengthen access to Central Asian markets and support alternative transport corridors through Iran.
Sanctions and Operational Concerns
India and Iran are still discussing future management of the port, including arrangements under which an Iranian local ports authority could oversee operations.
Long-term operations
Connectivity Benefits
The completed railway links Iran’s port infrastructure with neighboring countries and could support regional trade routes.
Sanctions and Operational Concerns
Chabahar operations face uncertainty because the United States withdrew a sanctions exemption in September 2025 and a later conditional waiver expired on April 26, 2026.
Key facts
- Railway length
- 730 kilometers
- Route
- Chabahar to Zahedan in Iran
- Infrastructure
- 33 stations, 39 tunnels and 201 bridges
- Expected operations
- Within three to four months after final safety inspections
- Indian financial commitment
- India completed a $120 million commitment to the Chabahar project
- Port agreement
- India Ports Global Limited and Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organisation signed a 10-year agreement in May 2024
- Sanctions status
- A conditional United States waiver for India expired on April 26, 2026
Sources
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