Iran has pledged €10 million for the completion of the remaining sections of the Abu Nasr Farahi–Mil 78 highway in western Afghanistan, a vital route for regional connectivity and trade. The announcement came during a meeting in Kabul between Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Works, Mullah Mohammad Esa Thani, and Iranian Ambassador Alireza Bikdeli.
According to the Public Works Ministry’s media office, discussions focused on a range of infrastructure cooperation projects, including the completion of the highway, construction of the second bridge at Milak, expanding freight transit along the Khaf-Herat railway corridor, signing bilateral and trilateral agreements, and increasing Iranian investment in Afghan railway infrastructure. Capacity-building programs for Afghan railway personnel by Iran were also addressed.
Ambassador Bikdeli confirmed that the funding had been allocated following on-site inspections of the highway and the Khaf-Herat railway route, adding that the project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Minister Thani expressed appreciation for Iran’s support and emphasized that finishing the Mil 78 highway is one of the Afghan government’s top economic priorities. He said the Ministry of Public Works is committed to completing the project swiftly to ease transportation for traders and citizens of both countries.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening economic cooperation and advancing joint infrastructure projects between Afghanistan and Iran.
