TEHRAN, November 2025 — Iran and Turkey have officially agreed to build a strategic cross‑border rail link: the Marand–Cheshmeh Soraya railway transit line. The new corridor about 200 km long will extend to Turkey’s Aralık border region, with a projected cost of roughly US$ 1.6 billion and a construction timeline of three to four years.

The governments characterize this new rail link as a modern revival of the southern route of the historic Silk Road: once completed, it is intended to serve as an integrated “all‑rail corridor” connecting Asia to Europe, facilitating faster and more cost‑effective freight transport. By improving connectivity and reducing logistics bottlenecks, the initiative could enhance trade, deepen regional economic ties, and strengthen Iran and Turkey’s roles as Eurasian transit hubs.

However, the corridor’s actual success will hinge on timely construction, efficient border‑crossing mechanisms, integration with broader rail networks, and sufficient freight demand to justify the investment.