Kazakhstan, Iran to expand port access for cargo transit
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Iran has offered Kazakhstan access to its port infrastructure to boost cargo transit to international markets. The agreement was reached during a meeting between Kazakh Deputy Minister of Trade and Integration and Iranian officials in Tehran on June 16.
The Agreement
Iran has agreed to provide Kazakhstan with access to its port facilities, including Bandar Abbas and other southern ports, to facilitate cargo shipments to global markets. The deal was finalized during talks between Kazakh Deputy Minister of Trade and Integration Kairat Torebayev and Iranian officials in Tehran on June 16. The initiative aims to increase bilateral trade volumes, which reached $500 million in 2025.
Transit Route Expansion
The agreement is part of broader efforts to develop the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a 7,200-km network linking Russia, Central Asia, and Iran to the Persian Gulf. Kazakhstan expects to ship up to 1 million tons of grain annually via Iranian ports under the new arrangement. The deal also includes potential reductions in transit tariffs and simplified customs procedures.
What's Next
Kazakhstan and Iran are set to finalize a detailed implementation plan within three months. It remains unclear whether the agreement will face logistical or regulatory hurdles, particularly regarding customs harmonization and port capacity.
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Kazakhstan, Iran to expand port access for cargo transit
