Nournews: The 6,543-kilometer railway linking Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey forms a new link in the chain of Asian trade. Connecting Islamabad to Istanbul, this route not only establishes a strategic bridge between East and West, but also consolidates Iran’s central role in the emerging network of economic, logistical, and political exchanges across Asia.

Iran’s Temporal and Geo-economic Advantage

The new railway corridor offers a faster and safer alternative to maritime routes. According to estimates, transporting goods from East to West via this line will be 13 to 15 days quicker than by sea. This represents a decisive advantage for developing South Asian countries seeking to reduce transportation costs. Within this framework, Iran emerges as a unique geo-economic connector between regions.

National Infrastructure and Iran’s Developmental Role

A total of 2,603 kilometers of the line runs through Iranian territory, integrated with the country’s national rail network. The development of border stations in Zahedan, Kerman, and Tabriz has created vital nodes linking East and West by rail. Moreover, the connection of this corridor to the Chabahar Port and to the North–South transit networks further enhances Iran’s strategic significance in the future of intercontinental trade.

Shifting the Balance of Regional Transport

The Pakistan–Iran–Turkey corridor is more than an economic route; it is a symbol of Asian convergence. With its activation, trade among South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe will reduce its dependence on maritime routes and the Suez Canal. This transformation is set to shift the axis of economic power from the seas to the land — with Iran at its center.