TEHRAN – As restrictions on maritime routes create new challenges for the flow of goods into Iran, overland and rail routes have become increasingly important. Freight trains from China continue to enter Iran, with official figures indicating a significant increase in rail traffic between the two countries in recent months.
 Sadr al-Din Niavarani, deputy head of the Export Commission of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, said that the continued flow of goods through multiple routes shows that supply channels remain active despite the restrictions.
He said freight trains from China make several trips to Iran each day, with each train carrying around 50 to 60 wagons. According to Niavarani, each wagon has a capacity of roughly 60 to 70 tons, equivalent to several standard shipping containers.
Niavarani also pointed to the condition of the domestic market, saying that if the restrictions on the flow of goods had seriously disrupted supplies even for a short period, the impact would have quickly become visible in the market. From his perspective, the relative stability of the goods market indicates that Iran has been able to rely on multiple routes to maintain imports.
Niavarani’s remarks come amid recent reports and rumors about a possible suspension or reduction in Chinese rail traffic to Iran. Iranian railway officials, however, have rejected such reports and said the route remains operational.
According to figures released by Iran’s railway authorities, the number of Chinese freight trains entering Iran, which was previously limited to only a handful of trains per year, has increased to several trains per day in recent periods. At one point, the number of trains using the route exceeded 100 per month.
The main route begins in China and passes through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan before entering Iran through the Incheh Borun border. Another route uses Kazakhstan and the Caspian Sea to transport goods to Iran’s northern ports.
This means Chinese goods do not necessarily have to rely on maritime routes leading to the Strait of Hormuz to reach Iran and can instead enter the country through Central Asia.
The importance of the rail route becomes more apparent when commercial shipping in the region faces restrictions. Under such circumstances, Iran needs alternative routes to prevent disruptions to the supply of goods.
Rail transport cannot fully replace maritime shipping because the volume of goods transported by sea is far greater than the capacity of rail networks. However, railways can carry a portion of essential goods and commercial shipments and help reduce pressure on maritime routes during periods of crisis.
This has increased the importance of Iran’s northern rail borders, particularly Incheh Borun and Sarakhs. These crossings connect Iran’s rail network with Central Asia, China and Russia and can provide alternative channels for part of the country’s trade.
The increase in train traffic does not mean that the route is without challenges. The movement of goods through several countries, differences in rail gauges, container transfers at borders and customs procedures are among the factors that can slow down transportation.
For this reason, expanding rail terminals, increasing loading and unloading capacity, reducing waiting times at border crossings and improving coordination among the countries along the route are key requirements for further developing the corridor.
Iran has also taken steps in recent years to expand the capacity of its northern rail crossings, as growing trade between China, Iran and Russia could at times place additional pressure on existing infrastructure.
The growing number of Chinese freight trains entering Iran shows that the country’s foreign trade is not dependent on a single route. Alongside maritime transportation, rail and overland routes through Central Asia are increasingly being used.
From this perspective, Niavarani’s remarks about the continued flow of goods through multiple routes can be viewed as part of Iran’s efforts to keep its supply chains functioning under maritime restrictions. The continued operation and growing number of Chinese freight trains are among the clearest indications of this trend.