According to KhabarOnline, an Iranian News Agency, Coinciding with the Iranian president’s visit to Astana, talks between the transport ministers of Iran and Kazakhstan once again placed bilateral transit cooperation at the center of attention. The main focus of the discussions was the final approval of a strategic transport MoU and the drafting of a joint cooperation roadmap extending to 2030, a document intended to provide a coherent framework for expanding logistical and transit ties between Tehran and Astana.
Iran and Kazakhstan, as key players in connecting Central Asia to open seas and regional markets, view the transport sector as one of the main drivers of their economic cooperation. In this context, both sides emphasized the need for continuous coordination among relevant institutions and for accelerating the implementation of previously signed agreements.
One of the core pillars of the new memorandum is the development of the eastern branch of the International North–South Transport Corridor—a route passing through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan and linking to Iran’s transport network, thereby facilitating Central Asian access to the Persian Gulf and beyond. Although a roadmap for this branch was signed last year, its practical implementation has yet to begin, prompting Iran to call for more serious follow-up from the Kazakh side.
Alongside the North–South corridor, cooperation on East–West routes was also highlighted as a strategic priority. Corridors such as Almaty–Tehran–Istanbul could position Iran as a transit hub linking China, Central Asia, and Europe—an objective that would require tariff coordination, streamlined border procedures, and joint planning in rail and road transport.
From an operational standpoint, revising the bilateral road transport agreement and removing the permit-based transit system were identified as key steps toward smoother movement of commercial fleets. According to Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development, once the amendment is implemented, Iranian and Kazakh trucks will be able to operate freely within each other’s territories—an initiative expected to significantly reduce both transit time and costs.
Iran’s northern ports also featured prominently in the talks. The ports of Astara, Amirabad, and Caspian were presented as critical transit gateways, while pilot cargo shipments from Kazakhstan to Armenia and Iraq via Iran were outlined as an initial practical step. If successful, this route could quickly be scaled up to full commercial operations.
At the same time, with the Iran–Eurasian Economic Union free trade agreement coming into force, the goal of reaching USD 3 billion in bilateral trade between Iran and Kazakhstan appears increasingly realistic—a target that would be unattainable without strengthened transport infrastructure.
Overall, the recent agreements and consultations indicate that Tehran and Astana are in the process of redefining their roles in the regional transit landscape. If implemented swiftly and in a coordinated manner, this trajectory could significantly enhance both countries’ positions within the Eurasian logistics chain.
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