Transportation routes and border crossings between Iran and Afghanistan

Road routes:

The road network between Iran and Afghanistan is connected through multiple border crossings. The most important road routes are:

  • Northern route: From Mashhad in Iran to Kabul in Afghanistan via the Dogharoon border crossing. This route is the most used route for transporting goods between the two countries.

  • Central route: From Isfahan in Iran to Herat in Afghanistan via the Bashtik border crossing. This route is the shortest route between the two countries.

  • Southern route: From Bandar Abbas in Iran to Zabol in Afghanistan via the Mahirod border crossing. This route is used for the transit of goods to/from Afghanistan via Iran’s ports in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.

Rail routes:

Currently, the only active railway line between Iran and Afghanistan is the Khaf-Herat railway line, which connects Khaf in Razavi Khorasan province, Iran to Herat in Afghanistan. This railway line has limited capacity and is mainly used for transporting minerals and construction materials.

Border crossings:

  • Dogharoon border crossing: The main and busiest border crossing between Iran and Afghanistan. It is located in Razavi Khorasan province, Iran and is adjacent to Herat province, Afghanistan.
  • Bashtik border crossing: Located in Yazd province, Iran and adjacent to Herat province, Afghanistan.
  • Mahirod border crossing: Located in South Khorasan province, Iran and adjacent to Zabol province, Afghanistan.
  • Milk border crossing: Located in Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran and adjacent to Nimruz province, Afghanistan.
  • Shindand border crossing: Located in Razavi Khorasan province, Iran and adjacent to Herat province, Afghanistan.

In addition to the above border crossings, there are other border crossings between Iran and Afghanistan that are mainly used for local passenger traffic.

Characteristics of border crossings:

Each border crossing has its own characteristics and facilities, including:

  • Opening hours: Authorized hours for the passage of goods and passengers
  • Daily capacity: The number of trucks and passengers that can pass through the crossing per day
  • Customs regulations: The rules and regulations that apply to the entry and exit of goods from the crossing
  • Welfare facilities: The facilities available for drivers, passengers and goods at the crossing

Choosing the right route and crossing:

The choice of the right route and border crossing for transporting goods depends on various factors, including:

  • Type of goods: Some crossings are suitable for transporting all types of goods, while others have restrictions for transporting specific goods such as hazardous or perishable goods.
  • Time: Some routes are shorter and take less time to reach the destination, while others are longer and more time-consuming.
  • Cost: The cost of transportation varies from route to route and crossing to crossing.
  • Regulations: Some crossings have simpler customs regulations and administrative procedures.

Challenges and prospects:

The transport of goods between Iran and Afghanistan faces challenges such as:

  • Infrastructure constraints: Lack of adequate roads, inadequate facilities at crossings and complex administrative procedures
  • Security issues: Insecurity in some border areas
  • Complex customs regulations: Multiple and time-consuming rules and regulations for the entry and exit of goods

Despite these challenges, the prospects for the development of transport between Iran and Afghanistan are positive. With the increasing economic cooperation between the two countries and the growing volume of trade, there is a need to improve infrastructure, simplify customs procedures and strengthen security at border crossings. In the long term, the development of the rail network between the two countries could also play an important role in increasing transport capacity and reducing costs.

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