Iran, Afghanistan Begin Railroad Trade


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The first shipment of Iranian commodities was exported to Afghanistan via a long-awaited railroad that links Iran’s eastern city of Khaf to Herat in the neighboring country.

The shipment was transferred from Khaf to Herat on Wednesday via a railroad that is going to be officially inaugurated in coming days.

The consignment was reportedly dispatched on a trial basis to identify possible problems and challenges on the route.

Jilani Farhad, the spokesman for Herat governor said the railroad project includes four sections, three of which have been funded by Iran.

A group of people watching the arrival of the train said they were "very happy to see a train in their place of living for the first time ever," Press TV reported.

The railroad will stretch to Chabahar in southeastern Iran, boosting Afghanistan’s trade and bringing in its mining sector from the cold to exploit billions of dollars in untapped mineral reserves.