Roads minister says Iran’s transit set record of 20m tons
The minister of roads and urban development highlighted Iran’s geopolitical and geostrategic position, stating that while some believe regional policies aim to bypass Iran, the country remains a key transit hub.
“We have not been sidelined, and transit connectivity remains one of our top priorities,” said Farzaneh Sadeq-Malvajerd on Tuesday during a meeting with the Council of Deputies at the national broadcasting agency, IRNA reported.
The minister emphasized the importance of establishing transit routes such as Rasht-Astara, Shalamcheh-Basra, Sarakhs-Cheshmeh Sorayya, Sarakhs-Chabahar, and Zahedan, despite financial constraints.
She recently attended international meetings in Switzerland, where she discussed the necessity of sustainable and green transportation with transport ministers from other countries. “It is natural to move toward clean and green transportation by shifting from gas to nuclear energy, and the world should grant us this opportunity,” the minister added.
Record 20m tons in transit gained
Despite sanctions, Sadeq-Malvajerd noted that Iran has achieved a record 20 million tons in transit this year. “We must communicate to our neighbors that transport security and completing transit corridors are among our top priorities, and we are moving swiftly in this direction,” she said.
The minister also stressed the need to courageously combat corruption and uphold the rights of underserved communities, even if it comes at a cost.
As a member of the current administration’s cabinet, Sadeq-Malvajerd expressed openness to constructive criticism.
“We welcome constructive critiques and expect that our work is presented to the public as it is, without exaggeration or distortion,” she said. She added that the ministry’s responsibilities extend beyond road and housing construction to include wise land management and ensuring the welfare of citizens through supportive services.
Sadeq-Malvajerd highlighted the importance of transparency in her ministry’s operations, stating that she has consistently opposed the manipulation of statistics.
“Despite media backlash, I have always emphasized transparency in all inaugurations and programs,” she said and underscored the significance of public judgment as the most important evaluation of the ministry’s activities.
Focus on justice-centered development
Sadeq-Malvajerd emphasized the importance of justice-centered development, particularly in transportation.
“For years, we have spoken about sustainable development. I hope that in the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, we can establish justice in various aspects, including flight equity, road construction, and railway lines,” she said.
Despite sanctions impacting the transportation system and creating challenges, the minister stressed the need to ensure fairness in flight distribution, the number of passenger and freight trains, and road construction based on public needs.