Moscow floats rail route to Indian Ocean via Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan amid Hormuz crisis

Key facts

• Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin proposed exploring a rail link to the Indian Ocean with a possible route through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
• The proposed rail corridor is intended to provide Russia alternative trade routes due to risks around the Bosphorus and the Strait of Hormuz.
• The proposal came amid escalating maritime disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz following armed hostilities involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
• Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced a maritime blockade of the Strait of Hormuz against vessels affiliated with the US, Israel and allied nations involved in operations against Iran.
• The Strait of Hormuz accounts for approximately 25 per cent of global oil trade and nearly 20 per cent of worldwide liquefied natural gas shipments.
• Khusnullin said any options providing access to India would be acceptable.