Iran and China Redraw the Map of Global Trade Routes
WANA (Jun 02) – Iran and China, building on a deep-rooted strategic partnership and their pivotal geopolitical positions, are jointly charting a new course for regional and global trade. In this evolving landscape, Iran is not merely a transit route but a destination where shared values and mutual interests converge.
Amid a global reconfiguration of economic power and trade routes, the economic and transit cooperation between these two ancient civilizations has rapidly gained momentum. The Chinese ambassador to Iran recently described the bilateral relationship using three powerful words: long-standing, broad, and deep—a reflection of the strategic depth shaping Tehran-Beijing ties.
Silk Road Legacy, Modern Ambitions
The first formal contact between Iran and China dates back to the Parthian era, when the Silk Road was the beating heart of global commerce and Iran played a central role in linking East and West. Today, under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Iran once again finds itself at the heart of a grand geopolitical vision, especially following the 25-year strategic cooperation agreement signed in 2021, which promises up to $400 billion in Chinese investment in Iran.
Incheh-Borun: Iran’s Emerging Transit Hub
WANA (May 31) – Located in northeastern Iran, Golestan Province, the Incheh-Borun Free Trade and Industrial Zone has surpassed 3 million tons in annual rail transit, emerging as a strategic hub along the North–South Corridor. It now plays a key role in linking Russia to India and China via the secure Turkmenistan border—a route that […]
Trade in Times of Crisis: Tariffs and Maritime Risks
As the U.S.-China trade war escalates and maritime routes like the Strait of Malacca grow increasingly volatile, China is turning more decisively toward overland alternatives. In this context, Iran is not merely a backup option but a strategic necessity for Beijing.
One key element is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which links China to the port of Gwadar. This corridor has the potential to extend westward through Iran, reaching markets in Europe and West Asia. Iran’s infrastructure upgrades, including the Gulf Bridge project to Qeshm Island and Chinese investments in southern ports like Bandar Abbas, reflect Tehran’s ambition to become a major regional transit hub.
A Golden Opportunity in the China-Europe Supply Chain
Hassan Karimnia, a transit and logistics expert, notes that reviving the East-West corridor, which traverses Central Asia, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, and connects to Europe via Turkey and Bulgaria, could allow Iran to handle up to 30 million tons of cargo annually. This would embed Iran firmly within the China-Europe value chain and unlock its unique geopolitical potential.
Iranian and Chinese presidents meeting in Russia at the BRICS on October 23, 2024. President.ir / WANA News Agency
Karimnia argues that the restructuring of global trade and the emergence of new economic blocs present a rare opportunity for resource-rich nations like Iran, provided policymakers align with evolving global dynamics.
Just last week, after years of relative silence, the East-West corridor saw a symbolic breakthrough: a heavy cargo shipment from Xi’an, China, arrived at Tehran’s Aprin dry port. The consignment—150 containers of solar panels transported by three trains over 15 days—marked a significant step in activating this route.
Iran: More Than a Passageway
Recent agreements with China show that Iran is no longer just a transit route—it is evolving into a strategic gateway in the Eurasian economic order. While previous opportunities, such as turning Qeshm into a regional bunkering hub or developing the Persian Gulf Bridge and Bandar Abbas, were missed due to Western-leaning policies and internal challenges, Iran’s renewed foreign policy direction and active economic diplomacy are reviving its historical role in regional trade.
In a world reshaping its trade networks, Iran stands at the crossroads of future connectivity, both as a route and a destination.
Iran Ends Tajikistan’s Landlock with Landmark Railway Deal
WANA (May 31) – Tajikistan has signed a new memorandum of understanding( MOU) with Iran aimed at strengthening and expanding its railway trade. The agreement, which permits Iranian freight wagons to operate on Tajikistan’s railway network, is expected to contribute to the commercialization of the East–West and North–South transport corridors that pass through Iranian territory. […]
