Bandar Abbas Rising as Key Iran–Kazakhstan Trade Hub
WANA (Oct 05) – With rising trade exchanges and a shared determination by Tehran and Astana to expand economic cooperation, Bandar Abbas is fast becoming a strategic transit hub connecting Iran, Kazakhstan, and the markets of the Persian Gulf — a move that could reshape the region’s trade map.
Relations between Iran and Kazakhstan have entered a new phase of economic and transit collaboration, centered around the southern Iranian port of Bandar Abbas — Kazakhstan’s potential gateway to open waters and the markets of Southwest Asia.
According to Ontalap Onalbaiyev, Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Iran, the two nations are determined to deepen cooperation in trade, transit, and investment, building on their historical and cultural ties. The ambassador made the remarks on Saturday (October 4) during a meeting with the board of directors of the Lorestan Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture.
During his visit to Lorestan Province, Onalbaiyev announced Kazakhstan’s plan to establish a logistics center in Bandar Abbas. “Kazakhstan is studying the creation of a logistics hub in Bandar Abbas to expand trade through the North–South Corridor, linking with Iran, the Persian Gulf, and Iraq,” he said.
Ontalap Onalbaiyev, Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Iran. Social media/ WANA News Agency
He emphasized that Bandar Abbas could become Kazakhstan’s key connection point to open seas. According to the Kazakh ambassador, bilateral trade between Iran and Kazakhstan reached about $245 million in the first half of 2024 — $144 million in Kazakh exports and $101 million in Iranian exports. He expressed optimism that with the activation of new transit routes and joint projects, this figure will rise significantly in the near future.
In a related development, Iranian and Kazakh railway officials recently met in Tehran to pave the way for deeper rail and port cooperation. Jabarali Zakari, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development and CEO of the Iranian Railways, announced that a five-million-ton transport capacity has been identified along the Iran rail corridor, with both sides targeting this goal within five years.
Zakari added that new agreements now allow Kazakh wagons to operate in Iran’s rail network and Iranian wagons to travel through Kazakhstan — a step that will further facilitate cargo transit from Kazakhstan to southern Iranian ports, including Bandar Abbas.
Transit experts note that Kazakhstan, the world’s largest landlocked country, needs access to warm southern waters — making Bandar Abbas a vital gateway. At the same time, expanding Kazakh trade through Iranian ports, particularly the Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas, could offer a safe and cost-effective route to the Persian Gulf and global markets.
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Experts also highlight the importance of reviving the southern branch of the East–West Corridor through Iran. Strengthening Iran–Kazakhstan cooperation could help rail routes from Sarakhs or Incheh Borun to Bandar Abbas reclaim their role as a major regional — and even Eurasian — transit artery.
According to economic observers, Kazakhstan’s investment in Bandar Abbas and enhanced bilateral logistics cooperation represent a strategic step toward strengthening economic relations, creating jobs, and boosting Iran’s transit revenues. This initiative could transform Bandar Abbas into a bridge between northern and southern Asia.
It is worth noting that last week, in a separate meeting, Haiderbek Tumatov, Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Oman, and Abdulrahman Al-Hatmi, CEO of Oman’s National Transport and Logistics Company, discussed a proposal for a new transport corridor aimed at connecting Central Asia to the Arabian Peninsula via Iran.
