Iran and Pakistan have reached an agreement to expand cooperation in the port sector, aiming to raise total cargo volume transiting through their ports to 10 million tons.
According to a joint statement following high-level talks between officials of the two countries on August 15, 2025, Iran and Pakistan agreed to enhance connectivity between Iran's Chabahar port and Pakistan's Gwadar port. They also discussed developing port infrastructure and multimodal transport routes to facilitate bilateral and regional trade.
Officials from both countries expect the deal to boost cargo flows through strategic ports, contributing to increased trade turnover between Iran and Pakistan. Currently, cargo volumes through regional ports remain below expectations, but both sides are confident that closer cooperation will help achieve the 10 million ton target.
Chabahar port, located in southeastern Iran, serves as a strategic gateway linking Central Asia and South Asia. Meanwhile, Pakistan's Gwadar port in the southwest, near the Strait of Hormuz, is also considered a key transshipment point. Coordinating the two ports is expected to create a more efficient maritime transport corridor, reducing logistics costs for businesses in both countries.
The new agreement marks a step forward in economic cooperation between Iran and Pakistan, which has experienced ups and downs in recent years due to security and political issues. Experts say the move reflects the shared desire of both nations to leverage their geographic positions and port potential to drive economic growth and regional integration.
Iran and Pakistan are expected to continue technical negotiations in the coming months to flesh out the cooperation roadmap, including agreements on tariffs, customs procedures, and infrastructure investment.
