Iran to open dedicated freight lanes at the Dogharoun border after 20-day truck waits on the return from Afghanistan

Iranian officials have announced that dedicated freight lanes will be created at the Dogharoun border crossing to speed up truck movements. According to the announcement, Iranian trucks currently wait up to 20 days to return from Afghanistan, and separate lanes are to be set aside for cargo vehicles travelling from Herat and Islam Qala toward the Dogharoun crossing.

Dogharoun, in Razavi Khorasan province opposite Afghanistan's Islam Qala crossing, is one of Iran's busiest commercial land borders, and a large share of Iranian exports to Afghanistan moves through it.

Long delays for the freight fleet raise transport costs and therefore the landed cost of exported goods, while slowing the turnover of hauliers' capital. Overland exports to neighbouring countries have taken on added importance for Iran's economy while Persian Gulf sea routes remain constrained.