Transportation Infrastructure

"Iran-Azerbaijan Joint Railway Opens After Much Anticipation." (Caspian News, "Iran-Azerbaijan Joint Railway Opens After Much Anticipation," 3/12/2019).

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Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree July 19 approving a memorandum of understanding between Azerbaijan Railways CJSC and Iranian Railways on the development of railways, signed on March 5, 2017, in Tehran. (July 20, 2017)

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In June 2017, Azerbaijan and Iranian Railways signed an agreement within the framework of the project “Construction and operation of the Astara loading and unloading terminal”.

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"Iran and Azerbaijan are expected to finalize a deal to create a crucial rail link during the upcoming visit to Baku by the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Javid Gurbanov, the head of Azerbaijan Railways, has been quoted by the country's media as saying that a key document over the project - which envisages connecting Iran's northern city of Rasht with Azerbaijan's Astara - will be signed when Rouhani visits Baku in early August. 'President Hassan Rouhani is expected to visit Azerbaijan tentatively on August 8-10. A document on the financing of the project to build the Rasht-Astara railway may be signed during this visit,' Gurbanov said. He said, citing Iranian experts, that the cost of building the Rasht-Astara railway is projected at $900 million, Itar-Tass has quoted him as telling Azerbaijan's ANS television." (Press TV, “Rouhani to finalize rail deal in Baku visit,” 6/13/2016)

“Iran looks to the lifting of sanctions to unveil a series of grand projects in partnership with major world shipbuilders, including South Korea’s Hyundai and Germany’s Nordic Yards Wismar, a senior official says… ‘We have held numerous negotiations with the world’s big companies and now we intend to choose the best partner from among them,’ Tasnim quoted him as saying. Preliminary agreements have been reached with South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. and an MoU has been signed with Nordic Yards Wismar which is Germany’s biggest shipbuilder, Rezaian said.” (Press TV, “Iran in talks for grand shipbuilding projects,” 11/22/2015)

Anas International was advertised as a participant in 2018 for KishINVEX, “one of the most economically influential events mainly concentrates on presenting Iran’s investment and business opportunities and providing attendees with professional networks to expand their business in the untapped market of Iran.” (KishINVEX Website, “Home;” “About” “KishINVEX 2018 All Participants”).

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According to its official website, “Anas International Enterprise is presently expanding on new markets, namely in Sub-Saharan Africa, Balkans, Russia, Iran and Central America.” (Anas International website, “About Us ”).

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"The Iranian government has signed a deal with Italy's highway agency ANAS for the construction and management of a 1,200 km (745 miles) road project that will cost 3.6 billion euros ($4 billion), ANAS said on Thursday. The first stretch of highway covering 350 km will be completed by 2022 at a cost of 600 million euros, ANAS said. The project is to build a road linking the Gulf port of Bandar Imam Khomeini to Bazargah on Iran's border with Turkey.Italy has worked hard to secure lucrative deals in Iran following a deal last year to lift crippling sanctions on Tehran in exchange for limiting its nuclear activities... ANAS said the deal signed on Thursday with the Iranian Ministry of Roads was a follow-up to a memorandum of understanding initialed in February." (Reuters, "Italy's ANAS signs deal to build north-south highway in Iran," 7/14/2016)  

"The deputy head of Iran Railways announced today that a $2.4bn letter of credit was ready to be drawn for work on the high-speed rail line between Tehran and Isfahan, the Mehr News Agency reports. Noorollah Beyranvand said the money, being loaned by the Export-Import Bank of China, was ready to be paid to China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC), the company due to carry out the work. Other companies involved are Khatam Al-Anbia Construction, which is owned by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, Germany’s Siemens, and Italferr, the consulting arm the Italian national rail operator Ferrovie dello Stato." (Global Construction Review, "Iran to draw $2.4bn Chinese credit line for Tehran-Isfahan high-speed railway," 6/10/19).

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"Iran’s state rail company and its Italian counterpart signed a final agreement worth 1.2 billion euros ($1.37 billion) on Tuesday to build a high-speed railway between the cities of Qom and Arak, the Fars news agency reported. The agreement was signed in a ceremony in Tehran attended by Saeed Mohammadzadeh, head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways, and Renato Mazzoncini, CEO of Italy’s state rail company Ferrovie dello Stato (FS)." (July 2017)

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"Italy’s state railways company expects to sign a contract to build the first stretch of a high-speed rail line in Iran in February 2017, its chief executive said on Thursday. The contract for the roughly 100< between Qom and Arak is worth about 1bn euros ($1.1bn), Ferrovie  Stato chief Renato Mazzoncini said at an event in Rome. Ferrovie signed a framework agreement to build two high-speed lines in Iran when Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi visited Tehran with a delegation of business leaders in April. Mazzoncini said the overall deal would be worth about 4bn euros." (Reuters,Italy Expects to sign $1.1bn Iran high-speed rail deal in Feb 2017," 7/14/2016.) 

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FDSI’s attended the Iran Rail Expo 2016, during which Mr. Aghaei “visited the Italian State Railways’ stand.” (FDSI website, “Press Releases,” 5/16/2016).

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"Italy's state railway company, Ferrovie Stato (FS), signed an agreement with its Iranian counterpart on Tuesday to develop Iran's rail system, Ferrovie said. Foreign firms are keen to exploit opportunities in Iran after the country emerged from years of economic isolation last month when nuclear-related sanctions were lifted. Ferrovie Chief Executive Renato Mazzoncini signed the agreement with Iranian Deputy Transport Minister and railway chief Mohsen Pour Sayed Aghaei during the third mission of Italian businesses to Tehran in recent months. The deal includes up to 5 billion euros ($5.65 billion) in export credits from Italy for Iran's RAI railway company, a statement from Ferrovie said. 'The FS group will supply assistance to the Iranian railways .. for both high-speed and conventional rail lines, including a complete programme for training personnel,' it said. It said FS will be on the 'frontline' for the planning and construction of high-speed rail links between the Iranian cities of Tehran and Hamadan, and between Arak and Qom. Iran is seeking to expand its rail network to 25,000 km (15,500 miles) from 10,000 currently, with 7,500 km already under construction, the statement said." (Reuters, “Italy's state train company to help Iran develop rail system,” 2/9/2016)

"Poland sent a high-level delegation including pharmaceutical, chemical and railway executives to Iran on Friday, joining a string of Western states hoping to exploit opportunities opened by Tehran's nuclear agreement with world powers. Economy Minister Janusz Piechocinski was heading a group with representatives of some 60 Polish businesses, including railway manufacturers Newag and Pesa." (Reuters, "Poland joins flock seeking business in Iran after nuclear deal," 9/25/15)

"Poland sent a high-level delegation including pharmaceutical, chemical and railway executives to Iran on Friday, joining a string of Western states hoping to exploit opportunities opened by Tehran's nuclear agreement with world powers. Economy Minister Janusz Piechocinski was heading a group with representatives of some 60 Polish businesses, including railway manufacturers Newag and Pesa." (Reuters, "Poland joins flock seeking business in Iran after nuclear deal," 9/25/15)

"The Czech Chamber of Commerce (HK) is planning its first-ever business mission to Iran in September to examine the opportunities that may arise if the sanctions against Iran are lifted, daily Lidové noviny (LN) has written... AZD Praha, a supplier of transport equipment, has already implemented a pilot project in Iran: the delivery of safety equipment in the new railway station on the border with Afghanistan, worth 65 million Kč, LN writes." (Prague Post, "Czech exporters eyeing Iran," 8/10/14)

"Will no longer participate in a project to build a railway line from Chabahar to Zahedan, along the border with Afghanistan because of Iran's insistence that Khatam-al Anbiya Construction Headquarters (KAA) receive the civil works contract for the project. KAA belongs to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and is subject to U.S. secondary sanctions. India had received a U.S. sanctions waiver for the project, a trilateral effort with Iran and Afghanistan intended to create an alternative trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia." (The Economic Times, "Chabahar-Zahedan rail link: Iran's insistence on roping in a specific entity put deal off track," 7/21/2020).    

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On its “Foreign Projects” page, IRCON lists a project with Iranian Islamic Republic Railways. 

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On its Company Website, IRCON states that it has “executed a large number of Electronic (Solid State) Interlocking and Relay based Interlocking Signalling installations” in countries including Iran. (Company Website, “Signaling and Telecom")

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“Last year, Washington had eased sanctions on Iran, which has enabled Indian companies to explore investment options. The Indian commerce ministry officials had in December last year, met the top brass of SAIL, BHEL and railway infrastructure builder IRCON to consider investing in Iran.” (Trend, “Iran plans to import 200,000 tons of rail tracks from India,” 4/28/14)

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In its Annual 2009-10 report, IRCON lists Iran as among those countries  where “Concerted efforts are being made to secure contracts.” (Company Website, “Annual Report, 2009-10”)

According to its Company Website, Iran is part of Russian Railways’ “North-South Corridor.” This corridor is “part of a strategic partnership with the countries to the south and [Russian Railways] duly signed an Intergovernmental Agreement on its construction with India and Iran in September, 2000.” 

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"Russian Railways OJSC plans to build and electrify the railway from Iran to Azerbaijan and further to Russia, RIA Novosti reported. The chairman of the State Duma Committee (lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia) on transport Evgeniy Moskvichev made the remarks commenting on the issues that will be discussed during the visit of the State Duma Speaker Sergey Naryshkin on November 16-17." (Trend, "Russia to build railway from Iran toward Azerbaijan," 11/17/14)

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"Russian Railways has signed a memorandum of understanding with Iranian Railways to expedite the implementation of rail projects in Iran. The 6th meeting of Iran-Russia transport cooperation working group was held in Tehran, Iran's Mehr news agency reported on August 27. Russian Railways agreed to expedite the implementation of the Garmsar-Incheborun railway project as well as the establishment of the Qazvin-Rasht-Astara railway which is intended to connect Iran's railway to Azerbaijan and Russia. The Qazvin-Rasht-Astara railway, with a length of 375km is currently the missing link in the North-South corridor, which, when completed, will extend from Northern Europe to Southeast Asia." (Trend, "Russia to expedite railway projects in Iran," 8/27/14)

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"Russian Railways company is holding talks with Iran to electrify 600 kilometers of railroads in the Islamic Republic, the company's deputy president announced. 'It is a concrete project, which was discussed with the Iranians literally last week,' Russian Railways deputy president Alexander Saltanov was quoted by the Moscow Times as saying. Delegations from Russian Railways and its subsidiary Russian Railways International will go to Iran 'in the near future' to work through the technical side of the venture, he added on Tuesday. The total cost of the project has not been determined, but could exceed 1 billion euros ($1.4 billion), Saltanov said." (Tasnim News, "Russian Railways to Electrify 600km of Iran’s Railroads," 7/9/14)

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“The president of Iranian Railways, Mohsen Pour Seyed Aqaei and chairman of the Council of the Board and president of Russian Railways JSC, Vladimir Yakunin discussed six rail projects, Iran's IRIB news agency reported on May 10. Heads of the railways of Iran, Russia, and Azerbaijan agreed that the Rasht-Astara railway to be built by Russia. Also, the Azerbaijani side will extend the railway from Iran-Azerbaijan border into Azerbaijan's territory. Mohsen Pour Seyed Aqaei said Iran is ready to revise transit tariffs in order to increase the volume of goods which are transited through the country. The 60th meeting of the Council on Rail Transport wrapped up on May 7, 2014 in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan. Iran requested the inclusion of Iran's railway administration as an associate member of the Council. Qazvin-Rasht-Astara railway in Iran will connect North Europe to Southeast Asia. Qazvin-Rasht-Astara railway, with a length of 375km, is intended to connect Iran's railway to Azerbaijan and Russia, Fars news agency quoted Iranian Railways Company's managing director Mohsen Pour Seyed Aqaei as saying on April 23…The railway is estimated to carry 1.4 million passengers and from five to seven million tonnes of cargo per year…The railway had been scheduled to be inaugurated this year, but the project is faced with a budget deficit, he added. If the financial problem is resolved, the railway will be inaugurated next year.” (Trend, “Russia to build railway in Iran,” 5/10/14)

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“Russia's economy chief on Wednesday announced plans to visit Iran amid reports of the two sides nearing a mammoth oil-for-goods deal that has raised consternation in the United States. Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev told Russian media his late April trip would focus on a ‘wide range of trade and economic issues’ but provided no further details.Moscow's Kommersant business daily on January 16 said the two close trading partners were negotiating a barter agreement under which Russia could import up to 500,000 barrels of Iranian oil per day. Russian officials have neither confirmed nor denied the discussions…Tehran's Fars news agency quoted Moscow's Iranian ambassador as saying on Saturday that the latest terms of the proposed deal would see Russia build Iran railroads in exchange for oil…Russian Railways state corporation chief Vladimir Yakunin had earlier expressed interest in helping Iran develop a railroad to its northern neighbour Armenia.” (AFP, “Russian minister plans Iran trip amid oil deal reports,” 2/12/14)

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"Iran may award OAO Russian Railways, the country's rail monopoly a new contract worth about $250 million after the state-run company completed a link between Tebriz and Azarshahr, RIA Novosti reported, citing the head of the Russian Railways unit doing the work."(Bloomberg News, "Iran May Award Russian Rails New $250 Million Contract, Ria Says," 6/9/12)

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“Russian Railways President Vladimir Yakunin led a delegation of Russian Railways to Iran and in Tehran met with government representatives and senior managers of Iranian Railways, including Managing Director Saheb Mohammadi. ‘A mutually beneficial partnership between Russian and Iranian railways in modernisation and infrastructure development is key to strengthening economic cooperation and friendly relations between Iran and Russia,’ said Yakunin. The partners discussed cooperation between the rail systems of the two countries in implementing joint infrastructure projects in Iran. The Iranians proposed that Russia play a role in electrifying the Tehran - Bafq railway line. Following the meeting, the sides agreed to establish a working group for the joint development of the proposal with a proposed schedule and other conditions.” (Russian Railways, “Russian Railways receives proposal to electrify Tehran - Bafq line,” 2/9/11)

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According to its Company Website, “In 2008, the railways of Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding on the construction of a railway line between Rasht - Astara (Iran) - Astara (Azerbaijan). Russian Railways considers this railway line as a key element in the North - South International Transport Corridor (ITC)…Following negotiations, the leaders of railways from Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding in November 2011…According to the results of pre-project development, RAI, Russian Railways and CJSC Azerbaijan Railways will ensure compliance with the corporate procedures required to set up the joint venture which will then directly implement the project. (Russian Railways, “International Projects: Iran.”)

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According to its Company Website, “Russian Railways and the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (RAI) concluded a contract for the electrification of the Tabriz - Azarshahr railway line on 29 April 2008. A ceremony was held to mark the beginning of construction on 9 February 2009…On 13 October 2012, Vladimir Yakunin, President of Russian Railways, took part in the opening ceremony of the Tabriz - Azarshahr line, which was electrified jointly by Russian and Iranian specialists.” (Russian Railways, “International Projects: Iran.”) 

Plasser & Theurer maintians a "Plasser American" website and an office in Virginia. 

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“A delegation of about 10 Austrian companies hoping to win post-sanctions business in Iran following its nuclear deal with world powers will visit Tehran this weekend, the Austrian Chamber of Commerce said…A spokesman for the Austrian Chamber of Commerce said its vice president would go with representatives of the 10 companies on the trip to Tehran, which has had good relations for decades with neutral Austria. The chamber did not want to name the firms but Austrian newspaper Die Presse said that rail technology firms Plasser & Theurer and AVL, high-rise engineering firm Doka, engineering consultants ILF and cable car maker Doppelmayr were among them.” (Reuters, “Austrian trade delegation to visit Iran after nuclear deal,” 12/4/13)

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“Plasser & Theurer is to supply maintenance equipment for the Kazakhstan – Iran corridor which is nearing completion.” (Railway Gazette, ”World rail infrastructure market May 2012,” 5/11/12)

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“The Railway Transport Ministry om Turkmenistan plans to conclude a contract with Plasser and Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen Gesellschaft m.b.H. (Austria) to purchase equipment for the technical provision of the Gizilgaya-Bereket-Etrek railway and related services, an official Turkmen source said on Tuesday. Supplies will be made under a national development program. In general, the work on this section is conducted based on an intergovernmental agreement signed between Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran on the North-South project in 2007. The projected traffic volume through this route is about 12 million tons per year. The North-South project implementation will open access for European and Asian countries to Central Asia and the Persian Gulf. A similar opportunity will appear for transit of goods from the countries in South and south-east Asia, the shores of the Indian Ocean to the countries of Northern and Eastern Europe - through Iran, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Russia.” (Trend, “Austria to provide Turkmenistan-Iran-Kazakhstan railway project with equipment,” 4/17/12)