Kazakhstan and Iran Strengthen Trade and Transport Ties in Landmark Deal

Kazakhstan and Iran have agreed to deepen transport and trade ties during high-level talks. Serik Zhumangarin, Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Prime Minister, met with Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadeq, in Bandar Abbas. The discussions built on agreements made during President Ebrahim Raisi’s visit to Kazakhstan in December 2025. The two sides reached a deal to allocate a land plot to Kazakhstan in Shahid Rajaee Port. This will allow Kazakhstan to expand its operations in the strategic Iranian port. They also pledged to speed up the implementation of existing high-level agreements and improve transport and logistics links.

Key topics included the International North-South Transport Corridor, port infrastructure growth, and increasing bilateral trade. Zhumangarin proposed a joint Roadmap to modernise transport infrastructure, targeting a capacity of 20 million tons per year for the corridor. Iran offered Kazakhstan access to Chabahar Port, providing a direct route to South and Southeast Asian markets.

In return, Kazakhstan expressed readiness to grant Iran access to its Caspian Sea ports in Aktau and Kuryk. This would support Iranian logistics operations in the region. Trade between the two countries rose by 26.4% in 2025, reaching $430.2 million. Cargo volumes along the North-South Corridor also grew by 12% to 3.5 million tons, while rail freight between them jumped by 69%. The agreement strengthens cooperation on transport and trade between Kazakhstan and Iran. Expanded port access and infrastructure upgrades are expected to boost cargo movement along key routes. Both countries aim to build on the recent growth in bilateral trade and freight volumes.