The Iran-Afghanistan Border's Impact On Herat: A Geopolitical Divide

Herat is a city in the west of Afghanistan, close to the border with Iran. The border town of Islam Qala is the main crossing point between the two countries and is located between Herat and the Iranian city of Mashhad. The distance from Herat to Mashhad is around 225km, with the border located roughly halfway between the two cities. The journey from Herat to the border takes around two hours by car, and the border crossing is open during daylight hours.

The Afghanistan-Iran border is 921km long

The Afghanistan-Iran border has a long history, with the boundary being formalised between 1872 and 1935 following a series of third-party arbitrations. The border has been the site of skirmishes and invasions over the years, with disputes over water resources continuing until 1973. Today, the border is a busy crossing for travellers and trade between the two countries.

The Khaf-Herat Railway Project is a significant infrastructure development linking the two countries. The 225km-long railway will improve passenger transportation and the export and import of goods between Iran and Afghanistan. It will also enhance political, cultural, and economic relations between the two nations.

Herat is the third-largest city in Afghanistan and has a population of approximately 574,276 as of 2020. The city has a rich history and was traditionally known for its wine. It is located in the fertile valley of the Hari River in the western part of the country and is considered a regional hub.

The border begins at a tripoint with Turkmenistan and ends at a tripoint with Pakistan

The Afghanistan-Iran border is 921km (572mi) long and runs from north to south. It begins at a tripoint with Turkmenistan and ends at a tripoint with Pakistan.

The border starts at the tripoint with Turkmenistan in the Harirud River. It then proceeds overland, just to the east of the Iranian town of Taybad. The border follows a series of short straight lines, passing through the salt lakes of Daryache-ye Namakzar and Daqq-e Patergan. Two 'beaks' of Iranian territory protrude into Afghanistan along this section.

The middle section, known as the 'Turkish section', consists of a series of straight lines through a plain, with some mountains to the south. This section ends at Kuh Siah mountain, where the border veers sharply to the east, cutting through Hamun Lake.

The border then turns south, following the Juy-e Siksar River down to its confluence with the Helmand River. From there, it is formed of a long straight line segment going southwest to the tripoint with Pakistan at the Kuh-i-Malik Salih mountain.

The border traverses a generally arid and inhospitable region with few inhabitants. The main border crossing is located in the Zabol-Zaranj area.

There are at least three official Afghan border control points next to the border between Afghanistan and Iran. These are the Delaram-Zaranj Highway, the Abu Nasir-Farah Highway, and the Herat-Islam Qala Highway. The latter connects the cities of Herat and Mashhad and is the only relatively safe border crossing between Afghanistan and Iran.

The main border crossing between Herat and Iran is Islam Qala

Crossing the Afghanistan-Iran Border at Islam Qala is a relatively simple and safe process. This border crossing connects the cities of Herat and Mashhad and is the most commonly crossed border point between the two countries. It is also one of three border crossings between Afghanistan and Iran, with the other two being in Nimruz (Milak-Zaranj) and Farah (Mahirood-Abu Nasir Farahi). However, these other crossings require travelling through areas likely controlled by the Taliban, making Islam Qala the only relatively safe option.

To cross the border at Islam Qala, travellers must first arrange visas for both Afghanistan and Iran in advance. Visas cannot be obtained on arrival at Iran's land borders. Once travellers have arrived in Afghanistan, the only safe way to reach Herat is by flight from Kabul. From Herat, travellers can take a shared taxi to Mashhad, which takes about 90 minutes to 2 hours. The road is mostly paved, but there may be areas of flooding after rains.

Upon arrival at the Islam Qala border, travellers will go through a security check and then exit Afghanistan by presenting their passport at the border office. They will then drive to the Dogharoun post on the Iranian side, where their vehicle may be searched by military officials. At the Dogharoun immigration building, travellers will present their passport and visa to the authorities, who may ask several questions. Travellers will also need to put their bags through an X-ray machine and may be asked to turn on electronic devices such as laptops.

The entire process of crossing the border from Afghanistan to Iran at Islam Qala typically takes around 6 hours, including the drive from Herat to Mashhad. The border is open during daylight hours, and both trucks and small cars can cross. On average, about 130 trucks pass through this border each day, and the average customs clearance processing time is 3 to 4 days per truck.

The Khaf-Herat Railway Project is a 225km-long railway between Iran and Afghanistan

The Khaf-Herat Railway Project is a 225km-long railway connecting Khaf in eastern Iran to Herat in western Afghanistan. The project, which began in 2007, was inaugurated in December 2020 by the governments of Iran and Afghanistan. It is one of the most significant infrastructure projects managed by the Railways of the Islamic Republic of Iran (RAI) and the Afghanistan Railway Authority (ARA).

The railway is divided into four sections, two in Iran and two in Afghanistan. The first two sections, totalling 78km, run from Khaf to the border in Khorasan Razavi province, Iran. The remaining two sections, totalling 147km, begin at the border at Shamtiq and pass through Rozanak before reaching Herat. The railway will also extend to Chabahar in southeastern Iran, improving Afghanistan's trade connections to Central Asia, Russia, Turkey, and Europe.

The Khaf-Herat Railway is a single-track standard-gauge railway with a track gauge of 1,435mm. It traverses a rugged and arid landscape, heading south from Khaf before turning east. The maximum speed for freight trains is expected to be 120km/h, while passenger trains will be able to reach speeds of up to 160km/h. The railway is expected to carry one million passengers and transport over six million tonnes of goods annually between the two countries.

The project is of great strategic importance to both nations. For Afghanistan, it provides improved access to Iranian seaports and enhances trade with Central Asia, Russia, Turkey, and Europe. It also strengthens the country's political, cultural, and economic ties with Iran. Additionally, the railway reduces shipping costs, eases border traffic, and encourages the transportation of passengers and goods across the region. For Iran, the railway bolsters its strategic position in regional exports and provides an opportunity to increase exports to Afghanistan.

The Khaf-Herat Railway is also part of a broader 2,000km East-West railroad running through China, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Turkey to Europe. It is further included in the proposed Five Nations Railway Corridor (FNRC), which would link Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and China. The FNRC would provide Afghanistan with direct access to Iranian seaports in Chabahar and Bandar Abbas.

The distance between Herat and the Afghanistan-Iran border is approximately 120km. The closest border crossing point is Islam Qala, which connects Herat with Mashhad in Iran.

The closest Iranian province to Herat is Sistan-Baluchestan

Herat is a city in western Afghanistan, close to the Iranian border. The closest Iranian province to Herat is Sistan-Baluchestan, which borders both Afghanistan and Pakistan. The province is in the southeast of Iran and its capital is Zahedan.

The Afghanistan-Iran border is 921km long and runs from a tripoint with Turkmenistan in the north to a tripoint with Pakistan in the south. The border traverses a generally arid, inhospitable region, with few inhabitants. The main border crossing is located in the Zabol-Zaranj area.

The closest Iranian province to Herat, Sistan-Baluchestan, is one of the poorest in Iran. The Baloch form a majority of the population and the Persian Sistani are a minority. The province is subject to seasonal winds, including the 120-day wind of Sistan, known as Levar, and the Hooshak wind. Sistan-Baluchestan is also one of the driest regions in Iran.

The Khaf-Herat Railway Project is a 225km-long cross-border railway between Iran and Afghanistan, linking eastern Iran to western Afghanistan. The project will strengthen political, cultural, and trade ties between the two countries.

Frequently asked questions