In an important milestone for regional connectivity, the first train carrying goods from Iran arrived in the western Herat province of Afghanistan on Wednesday evening through the newly built transnational Heart-Khawaf railway link, reported Tolonews 

In the first shipment, the train imported around 500 tons of cement to Afghanistan from Iran. Officials from both countries also said the third phase of construction in the Herat-Khawaf rail link has also been completed and the route will be fully operational in the next few weeks. 

Reacting to the event, Yama Shams, the head of the Afghan railway authority, said, “With the opening of this route, Afghanistan will be able to directly export its products to all countries that are connected in this route.” 

The 130 km long rail link - 70 km of which lies in Iran and 60 km in Afghanistan -  between the two countries will enable Afghan goods to access  Turkey and the European market through Iranian ports. 

Officials from the Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industries termed the success of the project an “important milestone” towards the trade and economic ties between Iran and Afghanistan.