Eastern Iran’s largest steel beam plant opens in Khorasan Razavi
VP calls production of rare, specialized steel as government’s priority
The largest steel beam production line in eastern Iran was inaugurated in Khorasan Razavi Province on Tuesday.
Khayyam Sepehr Foulad Neyshabur was inaugurated by Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref presiding over the ceremony. He was accompanied by the minister of industry, mining and trade as well as the governor-general of Khorasan Razavi, members of Parliament and senior provincial officials during the visit.
Located in Khorasan Razavi Province, the facility spans 96 square kilometers and boasts an annual production capacity of 500,000 tons, making it the largest steel beam and medium-section manufacturing plant in the region.
Speaking at the inauguration, Aref described steel’s role in industrial development as unparalleled and said it forms the cornerstone of the nation’s industry.
“We must prioritize the production of rare and specialized steels to achieve self-sufficiency. However, this hinges on a rigorous focus on the mining sector,” he said.
“The production of rare and specialized steels with high added value for application across diverse industrial sectors constitutes the strategic focus of the Ministry of Industry, Mining, and Trade,” he added.
Following a tour of the facility, Aref addressed the challenges faced by the industry, “Last year’s energy imbalance, particularly its severe impact on steel production, was deeply troubling. We hope the efforts underway this year will resolve or at least mitigate this issue.”
“While expanding domestic production is imperative, our market cannot remain confined to Iran alone. We must also target the 300-million-person market within our civilizational sphere,” he said.
Reiterating the critical link between mining and economic growth, Aref noted, “Though Iran is often recognized for its oil reserves, the current value of our mineral resources surpasses that of oil — provided we prioritize production.”
Highlighting Iran’s global standing, he added, “With 48 million tons of annual steel production, Iran ranks tenth worldwide. Despite harsh sanctions and constraints, our progress remains unbroken, even if temporarily slowed.”
Mining as a strategic priority
The vice president underscored the need for revitalizing mining projects, saying, “We must undertake major strides in mineral exploration, prioritize ‘mother mines,’ and revive long-stalled projects.”
Addressing the ceremony, Minister of Industry, Mining and Trade, Mohammad Atabak, highlighted the steel sector’s challenges, stating, “Last year’s energy imbalance reduced Iran’s steel production efficiency to 61%, down from previous years when it outperformed the global average of 77%. This decline hinders the viability of capital-intensive industries like steel.”
Atabak also outlined Khorasan Razavi’s export potential, stressing, “The province is positioned to exceed $2 billion in exports, leveraging its adjacency to Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. By improving production efficiency and building on its effective management of last year’s energy crisis, the region can achieve significant export growth.”