Herat-Balkh Railway to Connect Iran and Turkey with Central Asia, Says Taliban Ministry Spokesperson

The spokesman of the Taliban’s Ministry of Public Works has stated that the Herat-Balkh railway is one of Afghanistan’s key infrastructure projects and can connect the country to Central Asian nations through Iran and Turkey. According to him, this route will play an important role in the transportation of commercial goods and the expansion of regional trade.

Mohammad Ashraf Haqshenas added that the railway sector in Afghanistan is among the important economic sectors, and its development can facilitate transit and reduce transportation costs. He emphasized that this project holds strategic significance from the perspective of regional connectivity.

The Ministry of Public Works spokesperson also mentioned that, in addition to Iran, several domestic banks have expressed interest in investing and cooperating in the construction of the Herat-Balkh railway.

However, economic experts have consistently stressed that the success of such major infrastructure projects requires financial transparency, professional management, and constructive engagement with the international community—a matter that is considered challenging under the current Taliban administration.