Iran and Afghanistan seek to expand transit cooperation through Chabahar Port

Iran and Afghanistan are working to expand cooperation on transport and transit, with particular emphasis on the use of Chabahar Port, according to Iran's acting ambassador in Kabul, Alireza Bikdeli.

Speaking to Iran's official IRNA news agency, Bikdeli said the two countries are broadening their transit ties, positioning Chabahar as a strategic route for regional trade involving Afghanistan.

Chabahar's regional role

Chabahar, located on Iran's southeastern coast along the Gulf of Oman, has long been promoted by Tehran as an alternative trade corridor for landlocked Afghanistan, offering access to international shipping routes without reliance on Pakistani ports. The port has featured in various regional connectivity discussions over the years involving Iran, Afghanistan, India and Central Asian states.

Details on specific new agreements, timelines or investment figures tied to the latest round of cooperation were not immediately provided in the IRNA report. The statement reflects Iran's official diplomatic messaging on the relationship and has not been independently corroborated with additional sources from the Afghan side.

Iran and Afghanistan share a long border and extensive economic ties, including trade, migration and water-sharing arrangements, which have periodically been a source of both cooperation and tension between the two governments.