China steps in to help electrify Iran’s railways: What to know
Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref met with members of the Iran-China Joint Chamber of Commerce on Monday as ties grow.
Iran signed a deal with a Chinese company this month to electrify a railway in the Islamic Republic, as it seeks to boost ties with China and develop its transportation sector.
What happened: CEO of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways Jabbar Ali Zakeri announced on July 14 that a Chinese company would electrify nearly 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) of railway from the Sarakhs border crossing with Turkmenistan in the northeast to the Razi border with Iraq in the west. The announcement was made during a meeting in Beijing with Guo Zhuxue, chairman of the China State Railway Group, the semi-official Press TV reported.
Iranian media reports did not specify whether China State Railway Group is the company that will electrify the railway. Guo called Iran a major part of China's Belt and Road global infrastructure initiative at the meeting, according to Press TV.
Railway electrification refers to the use of electricity to propel trains. It is considered more efficient than railways that run on diesel.
