The freight capacity of the Khaf–Herat railway is expected to reach 2 million tons this year, according to local authorities in Herat, underscoring the growing importance of the cross-border rail link as a key trade corridor between Iran and Afghanistan.
According to IRAF, the local Taliban administration in Herat said the railway is projected to handle up to 2 million tons of cargo in 2026, marking a significant increase in freight movement along one of the main transport routes connecting the two neighboring countries.
The Khaf–Herat railway has become an increasingly important corridor for bilateral trade, providing a more efficient alternative to road transport and helping reduce logistics costs for cross-border commerce.
Economic analysts say greater use of the railway could facilitate imports and exports, strengthen regional trade links, and support broader economic cooperation between Afghanistan and neighboring countries.
The railway also forms part of a wider regional transit network linking Iran and Afghanistan. Expanding operations along the route is expected to boost Afghanistan’s transit capacity while improving its access to regional and international markets.
