rainpizza

• Israeli commandos have intercepted the Madleen – in international waters – and forced everyone on board to turn off their phones.

• The Madleen ship, launched by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, is en route to Gaza carrying humanitarian aid to Palestinians starving because of Israel’s months-long total blockade.

The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) expressed its firm disagreement with the ruling issued by the U.S. Supreme Court, which grants immunity to arms manufacturers under the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA).

In this regard, the SRE reiterated that it will continue to combat arms trafficking and demand accountability from those who allow this flow of weapons to foment violence by criminal groups that threaten the peace and security of Mexicans.

In a statement, the agency reaffirmed that it will use all legal and diplomatic resources at its disposal to curb illicit arms trafficking.

The U.S. Supreme Court justified its decision by arguing that the companies were not proven to have facilitated illegal gun trafficking.

“Mexico's lawsuit does not plausibly allege that the defendant gun manufacturers aided and abetted the illegal sales of firearms by dealers to Mexican traffickers,” said Justice Elena Kagan, author of the recent ruling.

This reverses the previous green light issued by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, which ruled in January 2024 that Mexico could proceed because it sufficiently established that “the defendants aided and abetted the illegal trafficking of their guns into Mexico”.

The lawsuit in question, which ended last Thursday with the Supreme Court's ruling, was filed by Mexico in August 2021 before a district judge in Boston, Massachusetts.

Despite this setback, the Supreme Court's decision does not affect the second lawsuit filed by Mexico in 2022 in Tucson, Arizona against five gun stores. This lawsuit is ongoing and is currently in the discovery stage.

Mexico has managed to position this issue not only at the bilateral level, but also at the multilateral level, through UN Security Council Resolution 2616 in 2021. In the same vein, it is awaiting the opinion issued by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights on this issue.

The Government of Reconciliation and National Unity of Nicaragua took a giant step forward in its strategy for development and the fight against poverty with the start of construction of the Photovoltaic Plant.

ENESOLAR APAS 3 in Nindirí, Masaya is a mega-project, with the strategic cooperation of the People's Republic of China, which will guarantee the reduction of potable water pumping costs for 3.9 million users and will strengthen the country's energy sovereignty.

Erving Barreda, executive president of Empresa Nicaragüense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (Enacal), pointed out that electricity consumption is the institution's main operating expense. Therefore, this new plant will be a “decisive support” to boost pumping systems, improve water and sanitation services, and reduce energy costs through a clean and efficient source.

The plant, to be built in the Los Altos de Nindirí community, will have 111,700 solar panels and an installed capacity of 70 megawatts (MW). It is expected to generate 140,000 megawatts per year, covering 40% of Enacal's energy consumption for its operations. This project joins two other photovoltaic plants under construction in León and Matagalpa, consolidating a national renewable energy strategy.

Laureano Ortega Murillo, Presidential Advisor for Investment Promotion, Trade and International Cooperation, highlighted the speed and spirit of brotherhood in the cooperation with China. “These are approvals with quick procedures, facilitated by that will and disposition of mutual support, of political support, of brotherhood that we have”, he confirmed. This is the first cooperation project with China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC) under the credit modality.

The cost of the project amounts to US$83 million, but is projected to generate medium-term revenues of US$300 million. Mr. Gan Xingqiu, President of the CCCC Institute of Energy Engineering, assured that this will be the largest green solar power plant in Nicaragua, equipped with the most advanced technology in China, and will be connected to the National Transmission Grid.

Residents of Nindirí, such as Coralia José Pavón, celebrated this advance, recalling the hardships experienced in neoliberal times (1990-2006), when the lack of electricity also meant the lack of drinking water. “I feel moved because I lived through the 90's, when there was no water pumping... days and weeks went by and we had to hire carts, pipes, to be able to draw water,” she said. Pavón highlighted the brotherhood with China.

The Minister of Energy and Mines, Salvador Mansell, and the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, Chen Xi, also present at the ceremony, emphasized the strength of this alliance, which demonstrates the Nicaraguan government's firm determination to guarantee energy security and the well-being of its people. This project is yet another victory for the National Plan for the Fight against Poverty and for Human Development, which prioritizes equitable access to drinking water and sustainable development.

France and the United Kingdom are reportedly retreating from earlier plans to recognize a Palestinian state at an upcoming international summit in New York.

French President Emmanuel Macron—co-sponsor of the June 17–20 conference alongside Saudi Arabia—had been urging European allies, including the UK, to support Palestinian statehood during the gathering.

Macron previously described recognition as “a moral duty and political requirement.”

However, French officials have informed Israeli counterparts that the summit will no longer serve as a platform for formal recognition.

Instead, the focus will shift to outlining a roadmap toward recognition, conditional on a series of measures from the Palestinian side, The Guardian reported.

Those conditions reportedly include a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the release of Israeli captives held by Hamas, reform of the Palestinian Authority, Gaza’s economic reconstruction, and a definitive end to Hamas’s rule in the territory.

The shift comes amid pressure from the United States, reportedly urging Paris and London to hold back.

Last week, Israeli diplomat Alon Pinkas told The Middle East Eye that France’s push was “serious and has the backing of most of the European Union and Saudi Arabia.”

Israel’s ambassador to France, Joshua Zarka, also called Macron’s initiative “disastrous.”

Human rights advocates have criticized the move to delay recognition.

Kenneth Roth, former executive director of Human Rights Watch, said the proposed preconditions risk turning recognition into an “endless (nonexistent) ‘peace process’,” and urged pressure on Israel to stop obstructing Palestinian statehood.

Although 147 countries already recognize Palestine, many European states have hesitated, often linking recognition to Israeli consent and broader diplomatic progress. Last year, Ireland, Spain, and Norway broke ranks and formally recognized Palestinian statehood.

In an open letter to Macron, The Elders—a group of former senior UN officials—called recognition “an essential transformative step toward peace,” urging France to act on principle, regardless of the pace or terms of future negotiations.

By: Roya Pour Bagher *

“The reality is that we have common enemies and can play a key role in regional security,” Abu Mohammad al-Golani, leader of the HTS regime in Syria and self-proclaimed president, recently told a Jewish publication in Damascus, referring to the future of the Arab country's relations with the Israeli regime.

The so-called “common enemies” appear to be none other than the Axis of Resistance. This became evident when the HTS regime authorities arrested two senior members of the Palestinian Resistance group Islamic Jihad, following the US-imposed ban on Palestinian groups, as well as deadly attacks by HTS forces on the Lebanese border.

During a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace, Al-Golani suggested a possible shift away from Syria's historic stance against normalization with Israel.

This shift was explicitly confirmed on December 6, 2024, when a HTS regime commander stated in an interview that they are open to engaging in friendship with Israel and that their only enemies are former Syrian President Bashar al-Asad, the Lebanese Islamic Resistance Movement (Hezbollah) and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

This raises an inevitable question: Is Syria now a truly free state or a mere puppet carefully and cunningly molded by Washington?

Syria has long been the epicenter of geopolitical conflicts in West Asia. Western powers have consistently portrayed it as a nation fighting for “freedom,” even as they orchestrated its destabilization to advance their own strategic and murky interests in the region.

For the West, a fractured Syria - or the fall of the democratically elected Al-Asad government - has always meant three fundamental objectives: cutting off arms supplies to the Palestinian and Lebanese Resistance movements (thus weakening the Axis of Resistance), plundering Syrian oil and gas resources, and facilitating the Zionist regime's settler-colonial project.

Syria's geopolitical importance cannot be underestimated, and its political alignment has shaped regional power dynamics for decades.

Aware of Syria's strategic role and ability to resist Western interference and imperialist objectives, the U.S. and its allies funded and trained hostile “opposition” groups, presenting themselves as defenders of freedom - their preferred slogan to justify imperialist agendas in the Arab country and beyond.

According to former U.S. Ambassador to Syria Robert S. Ford, the United States spent at least $12 billion on military and civilian efforts in Syria between 2014 and 2017 alone.

These funds supported military operations and politicized humanitarian aid, which exclusively targeted “opposition” controlled areas. In other words, at least $12 billion - in addition to previous expenditures - was wasted with the aim of bringing about regime change in the country.

It is essential to note that the US and its allies not only financed armed groups that perpetrated terrorist acts in Syria, but also imposed sanctions that devastated the Syrian economy, directly affecting the lives of innocent civilians.

A United Nations report reveals that the economic crisis resulting from Western sanctions was one of the main drivers of poverty in Syria, pushing 82% of the population into a situation of extreme precariousness.

Syria has served as a key channel for the supply of arms and logistical support to Resistance movements in the region. A collapsed Syria means a blow to the support received by Hezbollah and Palestinian groups, thus limiting their capacity to resist Zionist expansion.

It is widely known that the Israeli regime pursues its interests in a fragmented and unstable Syria. Immediately after the fall of the Al-Asad government, the world witnessed Israel's illegal occupation of 400 square kilometers of Syrian territory, while the international community remained passive.

No action was observed by Al-Golani or his regime to challenge or resist this illegal appropriation of Syrian land, nor did they react when Israel bombed Syrian military installations that could have strengthened HTS military capabilities in the future.

Meanwhile, regime change advocates and HTS supporters claimed that a “free Syria” would lead to a “free Palestine.” However, the reality has been exactly the opposite, and the silence of these same advocates is now so overwhelming as to be almost palpable.

As U.S. political analyst Jeffrey D. Sachs recently warned at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, the war in Syria did not originate with Bashar al-Asad, but “came from Washington.”

Sachs further explained Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's desire to shape West Asia “in Israel's image,” which involves overthrowing any country that opposes the regime's illegal occupation and expansion, in line with his “Greater Israel” project.

The operation Sachs was referring to was dubbed “Timber Sycamore”, whereby feared takfiri terrorists - including HTS - were trained to overthrow Al-Asad, resulting in hundreds of thousands of civilian deaths and the destruction of the country's infrastructure.

Whether by military, economic or diplomatic means, Western powers have relentlessly intervened in Syria's course to promote their own interests at the expense of regional peace and stability.

And all these facts - and many more - intertwine to evidence a single reality: Syria has always been a piece on the chessboard played by Western powers and their Arab allies to consolidate their dominance in the region.

A 2024 report on "China's teacher development" was recently released, highlighting that the size of China's head teacher workforce has steadily expanded, with a notable improvement in educational attainment, with 95.14 percent of head teachers now holding a bachelor's degree or higher, Guangming Daily reported on Tuesday.

The report centered on the development of China's head teacher workforce, introducing an assessment tool tailored to Chinese characteristics. It explored key dimensions such as the social status of head teachers, role identity and professional competence. The research team conducted in-depth field studies across multiple regions in China and performed group profiling and case analyses.

The head of the research team stated that China's primary and secondary school head teacher workforce has moved toward high-quality development in recent years. Head teachers show strong role identity, performing well in role cognition, emotional engagement, and behavioral commitment, and demonstrating firm confidence in their responsibilities. Their professional competence remains at a high level, with outstanding moral conduct guided by the spirit of educators, along with strong communication and classroom management abilities.

"With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, highly educated teachers have grown alongside information technology. They are more adept at using multimedia teaching tools, online resources, and interactive platforms. Transitioning from textbooks to incorporating modern smart devices has significantly boosted student interest and motivation," Wang Liping, a 43-year-old middle school teacher in Shanghai told the Global Times on Tuesday.

"At a top-tier primary school in Shanghai where I work, especially over the past decade, we've seen the emergence and annual increase of young teachers with master's degrees," said Wang Fei, a 43-year-old primary school teacher in Shanghai. "These new teachers excel in academic writing and leveraging modern technologies for lesson planning and courseware development. Their research-oriented approach brings fresh perspectives to teaching."

At the same time, the report noted several persistent challenges in the professional development of China's head teachers, including the need to enhance workforce quality and social status, emotional stress in their roles, and blurred boundaries between work and life, Guangming Daily said.

Wang Liping added that higher qualifications also mean a shift toward research-oriented teaching. Increased requirements for research projects and academic publishing have added pressure, placing research responsibilities alongside regular teaching duties. "Therefore, finding a balance between teaching practice and academic research is crucial," he said.

The report is part of a research series released by Northeast Normal University. It aims to study the reform of China's primary and secondary school teacher workforce development and the high-quality development of basic education.

The United States has granted approval for Syria to integrate thousands of foreign takfiri militants into its new army, according to a report.

The US has granted approval for Syria to integrate thousands of foreign takfiri militants into its new army, after the leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)-led regime expressed readiness to normalize relations with Israel.

On Monday, the British news agency Reuters quoted three Syrian military officials who indicated that, under the new administration's plan, approximately 3,500 foreign militants who fought alongside the Syrian opposition against former President Bashar al-Assad would be incorporated into a newly created unit called “the 84th division of the Syrian army”.

Asked by Reuters whether Washington had approved this move, Thomas Barrack, President Donald Trump's special envoy for Syria, replied, “I would say there is an understanding, with transparency.”

Barrack asserted that it is preferable to keep these militants, many of them “very loyal” to the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)-led administration in Syria, within a state project, rather than exclude them.

Washington had opposed this initiative, but its position on Syria changed radically following Trump's meeting with Abu Mohammad al-Golani, leader of the HTS regime, in Saudi Arabia in May.

During his visit to Riyadh, Trump announced the full lifting of U.S. sanctions against Syria.

According to the report, thousands of foreign takfiri militants fought against the government of former President Bashar al-Assad during the thirteen-year armed conflict.

Some of these fighters formed their own groups, while others joined established organizations such as the Daesh terrorist group.

Al-Golani has stated that these foreign militants and their families could obtain Syrian citizenship due to their role in fighting the former regime.

Abu Mohammad al-Golani, a former commander prominent in both Al-Qaeda and Daesh, is currently the de facto president of Syria.

In December, armed groups led by HTS militants announced the complete takeover of the Syrian capital and the fall of President Al-Asad's government.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently revealed how the Israeli military facilitated the HTS takeover in Syria in December.

The security situation in Syria under the control of HTS - a splinter offshoot of the Al-Qaeda terrorist group - remains fragile. Incidents of sectarian violence, including the massacre of hundreds of Alawites in March, have intensified minority fears vis-à-vis the now-dominant militants.

The Venezuelan government released information for its nationals planning to visit or living in the United States, as a result of President Donald Trump's fierce campaign against the migrant community, especially those in an irregular situation.

“The U.S. is a dangerous country, where human rights do not exist for migrants. If you are thinking of traveling, cancel your plans immediately. If you already live there, consider leaving immediately,” said the Venezuelan Ministry of People's Power for Foreign Affairs.

Similarly, the Foreign Ministry of the nation headed by President Nicolás Maduro stressed that U.S. authorities have carried out arbitrary detentions and deportations.

“We recall the case of Maikelys Antonella Espinoza Bernal, torn from the arms of her family by U.S. immigration authorities, as part of their criminal policy of separating families,” it pointed out.

Venezuela also criticized that the U.S. does not follow international laws on immigration protection and human rights.

“If you plan to travel [to the US], don't do it. There is no 'American dream' there, only nightmares. Our duty is to denounce this reality and demand respect for our compatriots,” he asserted.

Previously, the US Supreme Court gave the green light to Trump's strategy to withdraw protection to 500,000 migrants.

Following the ruling of the highest court, the US government has the power, for now, to revoke the legal status that protected people from Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua and Haiti who entered during the Joe Biden Administration (2021-2025).

In January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order instructing the Department of Homeland Security to “terminate all categorical parole programs” that he believed were “contrary to U.S. policies” set forth in his orders.

Two months later, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced the end of the CHNV program.

https://archive.ph/W15qY

Marches, music, panels, and declarations commemorating African Liberation Day organized by movements across the continent highlighted the spirit of resistance and unity.

Across the African continent, African Liberation Day (ALD) 2025 was marked by a powerful display of anti-imperialist sentiments, cultural celebrations, and political clarity. From the streets of Accra, to Johannesburg, from Dar es Salaam to Nairobi, this year’s commemorations echoed the popular desire for a truly liberated, united, and sovereign Africa.

Ghana: Solidarity with the Sahel and Burkina Faso

In Accra, the Socialist Movement of Ghana (SMG), United Rastafarian Council, and members of the Burkinabé community organized a solidarity march to the Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire. The protest denounced “imperialist sabotage” of Burkina Faso’s revolutionary trajectory under President Ibrahim Traoré. Côte d’Ivoire was called out for acting as a staging ground for counter-revolution in the region.

Earlier in the week, the SMG also hosted a program on Pan African Television on the significance of African Liberation Day.

In a statement issued on African Liberation Day 2025, the Socialist Movement of Ghana (SMG) affirmed:

“More than six decades after political independence, we recognize that Africa’s liberation remains incomplete. Neocolonialism continues to stalk the continent – manifesting in debt bondage, economic dependency, foreign military occupation, and the cultural domination of imperialism.

On this day, we extend our revolutionary solidarity to the people of Western Sahara, Palestine, and all oppressed peoples across Africa and the world who continue to endure under the jackboots of foreign domination.”

South Africa: Rhythms of culture and unity

In Johannesburg, The Forge and Jofrica Productions hosted “Rhythms of Africa: A Resonant Celebration of Culture and Unity” – a vibrant cultural event that brought together musicians, poets, dancers, and visual artists. Alongside performances and exhibitions, the event featured audience engagement activities such as Pan-African trivia games, reinforcing a shared sense of cultural pride and political consciousness.

Tanzania: Revolutionary cinema and class struggle

In Tanzania, a vibrant double-program was organized under the theme “120 Years After the Berlin Conference and the fate of working people organizations”. The events were led by the Underground Hip Hop Movement Watunza Misingi, but brought together a wide spectrum of grassroots organizations. Urban working women’s movements like UWAWAMA, the Tanzania Socialist Forum (TASOFO), Rastafarian organizations, and a dynamic collective of artists and cultural workers – including Colliers – all played key roles.

According to Muhemsi, a member of TASOFO, the commemoration had members from Congo that enriched the discussions by providing powerful historical and contemporary analysis of the Congolese struggle. Their interventions helped ground the audience in a people-centered narrative of the Congo’s plight

One part of the program featured a screening of “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”, followed by collective discussions on defending revolutionary gains in the Sahel.

Kenya: The struggle for socialism against imperialism

In Nairobi, a coalition of progressive organizations convened under the theme “Revolutionary Pan-African Unity: The Battle for Socialism Against Imperialism.” The program featured film screenings, panels, and discussions on constructing a people-centered alternative to capitalism.

Speakers and organizations addressed ongoing resistance to neoliberalism, the intensifying repression in East Africa, and rising cases of enforced disappearances. Expressions of solidarity were extended to Palestine, the Sahel, and Western Sahara, reiterating the interconnected nature of global struggles against oppression.

Niger: Revolutionary education and mobilization

In Niamey, a vibrant event was held at University Abdou Moumouni, organized by the Thomas Sankara Center collectively with other organizations. The program marked a historic moment in introducing the legacy and ideological significance of African Liberation Day to students.

Opening remarks by Fatouma, a member of the center, contextualized ALD within the broader anti-colonial struggle. The event featured a stirring spoken word performance by Ridwane, whose art channeled the spirit of Thomas Sankara.

A panel moderated by Sympathique included contributions from Inemesit Richardson and Bakin Batouré Almoustapha, a trade union leader from the broader Union des Scolaires Nigériens (USN). Discussions focused on student and union roles in confronting neocolonialism and advancing revolutionary Pan-Africanism.

A continental statement of defiance and vision

The Pan-Africanism Today (PAT) Network, issued a powerful statement affirming the uncompromising pursuit of revolutionary Pan-Africanism.

“Thomas Sankara once said, ‘When the people stand up, imperialism trembles.’ For the first time in decades, imperialism is trembling,” the statement declared.

The declaration called for:

• Ending imperialist aggression

“We demand the immediate withdrawal of all imperialist forces and military bases from our territories. The revolutionary Alliance of Sahel States must be allowed to exercise full sovereignty, free from external interference. The wars in the Congo and Sudan must end immediately, and the profiteers—both local and foreign—must be held accountable. We also reiterate our demand for an immediate end to the genocide in Palestine, perpetrated by the Zionist, colonial project of Israel and its imperialist backers.”

• Supporting national and popular liberation

“We stand in unwavering solidarity with the peoples of Western Sahara and Swaziland who, like the Palestinians, Cubans, and Venezuelans, defy hybrid warfare and blockades to assert their right to self-determination. We salute their courage and pledge to amplify their voices until genuine liberation is achieved.”

• Overthrowing economic subjugation

“We reject the racist assumption that Africa’s position at the bottom rung of the global food chain is preordained. We call for the dismantling of debt-servitude mechanisms that siphon wealth from our communities and for creating just, people-centered development models that prioritize humans and nature over profits.”

The path forward

As ALD 2025 is commemorated, its message was clear: Africa’s liberation is far from complete, but the continent’s peoples are rising again with clarity and commitment. With a renewed call to struggle, to organize, and to unite for socialism.

====================

Video of Solidarity with Burkina Faso:

Ghana -> https://xcancel.com/african_stream/status/1927024310520074371#m

Togo -> https://xcancel.com/african_stream/status/1927045848975732986#m

Burkina Faso has launched a major agricultural campaign funded by internally generated revenues. On 22 May 2025, President Ibrahim Traoré ‍handed over more than 104 billion CFA francs (approximately $172 million) worth of agricultural equipment and inputs to farmers in Bobo-Dioulasso.

The agricultural support is part of the government’s plan to achieve food self-sufficiency and create decent jobs in the rural sector. It falls under two major initiatives: the “Offensive agropastorale et halieutique 2023–2025” and the Presidential Initiative for Agricultural Production.

During the ceremony, President Traoré formally handed the equipment keys to the Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal and Fisheries Resources, Commander Ismaël Sombié.

I officially hand over the keys to all this machinery and wish you a successful farming season. Let us pray for good rains and hope you meet the goals set for this year,” he said.

The distribution included 608 tractors, 1033 motorbikes for field agents, 485 water pumps, 1102 power tillers, 17 trucks, two drilling units, four harvesters, 935 floating fish cages, 36 vehicles, 150 grinders, and 10 processing units.

There were also vast amounts of agricultural supplies; over 31,851 tonnes of pesticides, 70,000 tonnes of mineral fertilisers, 14,631 tonnes of organic manure, 15,000 tonnes of crop seeds, 1,580 tonnes of fish feed, 11,169 tonnes of livestock feed, and nearly 67 million doses of veterinary medicines.

According to Commander Sombié, more than 2,000 hectares of irrigated farmland have been developed to support this effort. The aim is to achieve structural transformation of the agriculture and livestock sectors.

The materials will enhance mechanised farming brigades across the country. These brigades will provide free services to vulnerable populations and subsidised services for others, significantly boosting national food production.

This investment in rural development is supported by the nationalisation of two major gold mines – Boungou and Wahgnion, which British-listed Endeavour Mining previously controlled. After the sale of the mines to Lilium Mining in 2023 fell through due to payment defaults, the government took control in 2024. Burkina Faso paid Endeavour $60 million for the takeover and agreed to a three per cent royalty on up to 400,000 ounces of gold from Wahgnion.

Since then, gold revenues have been redirected to national priorities such as agriculture. Over 78 billion CFA francs were reportedly allocated from this stream alone to fund the farming campaign, which now totals more than 104 billion CFA francs with further contributions from the state budget.

The first freight train from Xi'an arrived Sunday at the Aprin dry port near Tehran, marking the consolidation of the China-Iran rail corridor that promises to reshape the Eurasian trade map.

This new overland route represents much more than a logistical alternative, it is a direct challenge to the US ability to control global trade flows through strategic points such as the Strait of Malacca.

The rail corridor drastically reduces transport times between China and Iran from the 30-40 days required by the traditional sea route to just 15 days overland. This competitive advantage is particularly relevant in a context where global supply chains are looking for more efficient alternatives that are less vulnerable to geopolitical disruptions.

Since its commissioning on July 21, 2024, double-load freight trains have been running between the two countries, bringing the reality of the planned China-Iran-Europe rail corridor closer to reality.

Geostrategic impact

Aprin's CEO stressed that this inland port will not only reduce transportation costs, but will significantly reduce reliance on congested coastal shipping routes traditionally controlled by Western powers.

The initiative accelerates Chinese exports to Europe while expediting the flow of Iranian oil to China, deliberately avoiding choke points under U.S. influence.

New arteries of independence

On May 12, officials from Iran, China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey met in Tehran to accelerate the development of this transcontinental rail network that will connect Asia to Europe.

The participants agreed on joint tariffs and operational standards to boost trade and regional connectivity, Tasnim News agency reported.

This multilateral coordination is evidence of the construction of an alternative trade bloc that challenges the traditional Western-dominated economic architecture.

The China-Iran railway project transcends the commercial dimension to become a tool for geopolitical reconfiguration. Both countries are building what analysts describe as “steel arteries of independence” that Washington can neither patrol nor control.

This infrastructure represents a key component of China's Belt and Road Initiative, which seeks to create alternative trade corridors to those historically dominated by Western powers.