With Trump behind the wheel, are Iran’s rail plans and the INSTC in danger?

Iran recently announced plans to build nine cross-country rail corridors. Those would elevate the country to a serious rail transit country, especially within the framework of the so-called International North – South Transport Corridor (INSTC). The plan could significantly boost regional connectivity. However, there are some serious obstacles on the horizon, and those seem even more insurmountable when looking west.

As part of its ambitious plan, Iran wants to build 3,200 kilometres of new tracks to form nine rail corridors across the country. In total, the corridor network is supposed to be 17,000 kilometres in length. For comparison, Germany has a rail network that is approximately double that size, at 34,000 kilometres.

Notably, Tehran wants to create various corridors from the vital Astara hub at the Azerbaijan border to the Indian Ocean. When put into practice, such corridors would be a major development for the INSTC and ease traffic along the north – south axis. The ports to be connected include Bandar-Khomeini, Bushehr, Bandar-Abbas and Chabahar.

Delays and unexpected costs

Moreover, Iran wants to build a rail corridor along its eastern border, close to Pakistan and Afghanistan. That line could give the famously landlocked Central Asian countries access to the Indian O…