In Iran, work is currently underway to expand the high-speed rail (HSR) line between Tehran and Mashhad over a distance of 900 km with Chinese support. The project is part of a comprehensive modernisation of the Iranian railway network with Chinese participation. The line is one of the busiest corridors in West Asia, particularly due to pilgrim transport to Mashhad. At the same time, there are plans to electrify around 1,000 km of track between Sarakhs on the border with Turkmenistan and Razi near the Iraqi border, as well as to expand selected sections to double track. The aim is to triple the volume of rail freight transport on the east-west corridor to 15 million t per year.
