On 12 May 2025, in Tehran, representatives of six Asian nations signed a strategic agreement that could redefine freight transport on a Eurasian scale. China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Turkey have formalised a deal for the joint development of a new international rail corridor connecting China to Europe through Central Asia, Iran and Turkey. The aim is to create another land-based alternative to traditional maritime routes, which are increasingly subject to risk. The project involves the construction of a rail backbone approximately 12,000 kilometres long, with harmonised tariffs, coordinated delivery schedules and simplified customs procedures.
The signing of the agreement comes at a delicate moment for global trade. Geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea and transit difficulties in the Suez Canal have rekindled interest in overland routes. In this context, the new railway corridor is positioned as a faster and more stable alternative. According to early estimates, delivery times between eastern China and Europe could fall from 30 to 45 days by sea to 18 to 25 days by rail.
One of the distinctive features of the agreement is the level of coordination among the six signatory countries. Railway and customs authorities have agreed on a series of key operational measures to ensure the corridor's efficiency, including unified tariffs, synchronised transit times and streamlined cross-border procedures. The goal is to build a reliable and predictable rail network capable of attracting international investors and logistics operators. Preliminary estimates suggest that total infrastructure investment required for the development of the corridor could amount to around eight billion dollars. However, the full cost of the project has not yet been disclosed, as the agreement also includes the possibility of extending the line towards one or more European destinations still to be defined.
The China–Iran–Turkey corridor forms part of a broader effort to strengthen Eurasian land routes. Today, the longest rail links connecting China to Europe are the Chongqing–Duisburg and Yiwu–Madrid routes, each stretching around 13,000 kilometres. Although the new route is comparable in length, it is distinguished by its passage through Central Asia and Iran, regions that have so far played a less central role in global rail traffic but possess significant development potential.
The agreement also carries geopolitical significance. It promotes regional economic integration, reinforces cooperation among countries with shared strategic interests, and enables nations such as Iran and Turkey to consolidate their role as key logistical hubs between Asia and Europe. The implications for European logistics are manifold. A stable and faster rail route could significantly benefit sectors such as consumer electronics, textiles and perishable food products, which require reliable and short transit times. Furthermore, diversifying trade routes reduces exposure to risks stemming from maritime tensions and may help stabilise transport costs over the medium to long term.
