Iran has placed the development of transport corridors at the forefront of its infrastructure agenda, aiming to enhance regional connectivity and deepen cooperation with neighboring countries, Transport Minister Farzaneh Sadegh said on Saturday.
Speaking at a ceremony marking Transport Week, attended by President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, Sadegh emphasized that corridor development is a central priority for the Transport and Urban Development Ministry. She highlighted ongoing efforts, in coordination with the Foreign Ministry, to operationalize transport diplomacy and rebuild collaboration with neighboring states.
Sadegh praised workers across road, rail, air, and maritime sectors for keeping the country’s logistics network operational under challenging conditions. She also acknowledged the resilience of private-sector operators, who sustained national transit during crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and a recent 12-day conflict, describing this dedication as a defining feature of Iran’s transport sector.
Despite persistent challenges such as structural imbalances and accumulated debts to contractors and workers, Sadegh assured that the government remains committed to stronger regulation and facilitation to support private-sector participation.
The minister noted that the recent approval of a national transit document by the president would help integrate management and planning across the sector, reinforcing the government’s goal of restoring Iran’s position as a regional logistics and transit hub.
“Corridor development remains the cornerstone of our strategy,” Sadegh said, adding that transport diplomacy with neighboring countries has been embedded across ministerial programs.
To support private operators, she highlighted several initiatives, including the addition of around 2,000 airline seats over the past week, new rail contracts with private companies, and upcoming road, motorway, and broader transport investment packages scheduled to be unveiled within the next two months.
Sadegh expressed hope that sustained government backing and parliamentary support would enable the ministry to meet its public obligations and advance transport development despite ongoing economic constraints.