Iran turns to China rail link to try to bypass U.S. blockade

Iran is ramping up trade with China via rail in a bid to blunt the impact of a US blockade of its ports and adapt to pressure designed to strangle its economy.

The number of cargo trains going from Xi’an in central China to the Iranian capital Tehran has risen from around one per week before the conflict to one every three or four days since the start of blockade on April 13, according to people with knowledge of the shipments.

Freight costs have surged, with quotes for shipping a standard 40-foot container along the route as high as $7,000 this week, roughly 40% more than typical levels, the people said, speaking on condition of anonymity as they aren’t authorized to speak with the media.

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