Iraqi Prime Minister starts Iraq-Iran railway project

Iraq’s prime minister on Saturday inaugurated construction work on what is planned to become the first railway line connecting the country to neighbouring Iran, a major political and economic partner.

“This project is an important support in strengthening the infrastructure of the Iraqi economy and enhancing the national economy growth,” said Mohammad Shia al-Sudani at the inauguration ceremony of the Shalamcheh-Basra railway operation at the border zero point of Iran and Iraq.

He noted that the project had been under discussion for years before an agreement was reached in 2021.

The goal is to be able to transport “travellers from the Islamic Republic of Iran and Central Asian countries” to Shiite holy cities, Prime Minister said in a speech.

“This railway line is supposed to be connected to the Governorates of Najaf and Karbala,” the Prime Minister’s Media Office reported in a statement followed by the Shia Waves Agency.

This project will facilitate the travel of pilgrims for the annual Husseini Arbaeen pilgrimage.

Officials say more than 3 million Iranian pilgrims have come to Iraq from all common border crossings between the two countries, and more than 700,000 pilgrims have entered Iraq from Shalamcheh crossing so far.