Joint Development of the Mehran – Zurbatiyah Border Aimed at Harmonizing Iran–Iraq Border Gates
The Director General of the Department for Transit and International Transport at the Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization announced that, in light of the progress achieved in the implementation of the master plan for Iraq’s Zurbatiyah Border, a joint border meeting was convened with the objective of harmonizing passenger and commercial border gates between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Iraq.
According to Javad Hedayati, given the Iraqi side’s commendable efforts to accelerate the development of passenger and commercial infrastructure at the Zurbatiyah Border, it seems essential to reach mutual agreements on the alignment of the joint border gates ensuring the uninterrupted organization of transport routes for commercial fleets, transit cargo and pedestrian pilgrims between the two countries.
He added that, to this end, the joint meeting brought together technical and engineering delegations, which reviewed the construction plans of the border currently under development on the Iraqi side and assessed their compatibility with the existing infrastructure at Iran’s border.
The Director General further noted that the meeting also resulted in the adoption of key decisions aimed at selecting the most efficient option for physical and operational connectivity between the border crossings of Iran and Iraq.
Hedayati stressed that the Mehran Border is the national most active land border in terms of passenger movement and represents the primary gateway for pilgrims traveling to the holy shrines, particularly during the Arbaeen pilgrimage period.
Referring to the Mehran Border as one of the most active borders in the fields of exports and transit with Iraq, he underscored that, in view of the steadily growing traffic measures, the seamless organization of shared commercial and passenger routes, along with the harmonization of connecting border gates, plays a vital role in ensuring smooth cross-border movement and enhancing satisfaction among pilgrims and drivers alike.
