Islamic Republic & Taliban Officials Discuss Expanding Rail Cooperation

Officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Taliban discussed opportunities for joint investment in the development of rail infrastructure and increased transportation through the Khaf-Herat railway.

Mohammad Ishaq Sahebzada, the deputy minister of railways at the Taliban's Ministry of Public Works, visited Iran two days ago.

Mohammad Ashraf Haqshenas, a spokesman for the Taliban's Ministry of Public Works, wrote on social media platform X on Sunday, November 17, that officials of the group and the Islamic Republic emphasised on the "continuity and expansion" of cooperation.

Haqshenas wrote that during the Taliban delegation's meeting with Islamic Republic officials, "increasing transfers through the third section of the Khaf-Herat railway, upgrading the technical and specialised capacities of Afghan railway employees, and joint investment opportunities in the development of railway infrastructure" were discussed.

The Taliban's Ministry of Industry and Commerce has previously announced an increase in trade with the Islamic Republic. According to figures recently provided by the ministry, the value of the Taliban's trade with the Islamic Republic in the past seven months reached $1.827 billion.