In her article published in the Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst, Nargiza Umarova, Head of the Center for Strategic Connectivity at IAIS, examines how closer transport cooperation between Afghanistan and Iran could reshape regional connectivity. The analysis focuses on the proposed Herat–Mazar-i-Sharif railway and its potential to link Central Asia and China with Iran, Türkiye and European markets.
The article explores how maritime shipping risks, Afghanistan’s strained relations with Pakistan and China’s efforts to diversify overland routes are driving interest in alternative railway corridors. Umarova highlights the opportunities these developments could create for Uzbekistan, including broader access to southern markets and connections between emerging transport networks, while noting unresolved infrastructure and implementation challenges.
* The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.
