Iranian Freight Train Passes Through Turkmenistan in Transit to Bukhara for the First Time

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — An Iranian freight train has, for the first time, crossed Turkmenistan on a transit route to Bukhara (Uzbekistan), Iranian media reported on Tuesday.

According to IRNA, the 40-wagon train — consisting entirely of Iranian-made railcars — departed from the Sarakhs station on the Iran–Turkmenistan border, carrying metallurgical goods, including direct reduced iron.

The transit marks a significant milestone, as Iranian railway wagons were previously prohibited from direct passage through CIS countries. The operation became possible after lengthy negotiations, the transport outlet Tinn News reported.

The route was launched under a recent six-country railway agreement between Iran, China, Uzbekistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan, aimed at expanding trade and creating an efficient “China–Europe” transport corridor via Iran.

The east–west railway corridor is expected to reduce delivery times by roughly one-third compared to sea routes.

This first transit further strengthens Turkmenistan’s role as a key link in the strategic Asia–Europe route.

In November, the first freight train from Russia also passed through Turkmenistan to Iran, carrying a large consignment of goods.