Taftan Border Crossing: What It Is and Who Can Use It

The Taftan border is the main land crossing between Pakistan and Iran, linking the Pakistani town of Taftan in Chagai district, Balochistan, with Mirjaveh in Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan province. It handles trade, pilgrims travelling to Iran and Iraq, and a trickle of overland travellers, and it is open to people who hold the right visas and documents on both sides. It is a working border post, not a tourist sight, and the region it sits in is under serious security advice.

This guide explains what the crossing is, who uses it, what travellers have reported about the process and how the situation has shifted during 2025 and 2026.

What is the Taftan crossing?

Taftan is a trunk-road and railway town with a population of 18,510 at the 2017 census. It is the headquarters of Taftan district. The border post is on the N-40 highway, which runs from Quetta through Nushki and Dalbandin, and it continues on the Iranian side towards Zahedan, Kerman and beyond.

It is one of four official crossings between the two countries. Taftan and Gabd, opposite Chabahar, take both pedestrians and goods, while Mand and Chadgi are for trade only. Because Iran drives on the right and Pakistan on the left, vehicles have to change sides at the border.

A railway also runs to Taftan and on to Zahedan. Our guide to the Quetta to Taftan railway explains its history and current status.

Who can use the Taftan border?

In practice, four groups use it.

1. Traders and transporters, moving goods under customs rules. In June 2026 the FBR formally declared the railway station at Taftan, covering 11.75 acres, a land customs station for clearing imports and exports.
2. Pilgrims travelling overland to Iran and Iraq, who use the crossing in large numbers. Pakistani officials said in 2026 that they were discussing ways to make pilgrim movement easier.
3. Iranian and Pakistani nationals, who need a valid visa or permit for the other country. UNHCR figures reported in July 2026 said 34,196 people, mostly Iranian nationals and returning Pakistanis, crossed into Pakistan at Taftan between 1 March and 16 July 2026 after US strikes in southern Iran began.
4. Foreign overland travellers, who need a passport with both an Iranian and a Pakistani visa.

There is no tourist crossing at Taftan in the sense of a place you visit for the view. If you do not have a reason to cross, there is no reason to go to the border post.

What documents and arrangements are needed?

The details depend on your nationality and change often, so confirm everything with the Pakistani and Iranian embassies before you travel.

• A passport and visas for both countries. Overland travellers' reports recommend a proper e-visa for Pakistan rather than relying on a visa on arrival.
• A No Objection Certificate (NOC) and an escort. Reports from overland travellers describe an NOC from the Balochistan Home Department in Quetta and a mandatory armed escort from the Levies on the road through Balochistan. Authorities set these rules and they can change.
• Time. The same reports describe a pedestrian crossing of under an hour, but a total journey from Zahedan to Quetta of two to three days with escorts. They also note that the border and the Quetta NOC office observe weekend closures. Treat these as guides rather than current timetables.

Pakistani citizens travelling to Iran for pilgrimage usually go in organised groups. Check current arrangements with the Ministry of Religious Affairs or a registered operator rather than relying on a guide like this one.

Is the border open right now?

It has been open for much of 2026, but it has been closed and reopened in the past. Pakistan closed the border with Iran indefinitely on 16 June 2025 during regional tensions, and from March 2026 the US strikes in southern Iran changed traffic sharply. At the same time, Pakistan opened six overland routes for goods heading to Iran through Gabd and Taftan, and the two countries agreed to extend operating hours and expand border trade.

Opening hours and closure days are set by the border authorities. If you must go, check the current status with the district administration in Taftan or with Pakistan's immigration authorities that same week.

Is it safe?

Balochistan has an active insurgency and the UK advises against all travel to the province. Travel to Iran is governed by separate advice, and the regional conflict in 2026 has made that more serious, so foreign nationals should read both sets of guidance and check their insurance, which may be void.

On the Pakistani side, the N-40 between Quetta and Taftan is one of the highways where public transport has been banned at night since March 2025. Our guide to the N-40 highway and our note on whether Balochistan is safe to travel cover the road in more detail. Pakistani travellers should travel in daylight, check local conditions and expect checkpoints.

Is it worth going to the border?

Only if you have a reason to cross. The town and the border post offer nothing for sightseers, services are basic, and the nearest large city is more than 500 kilometres away. People travelling for pilgrimage, trade or work need to plan the crossing carefully. Everyone else should choose a different destination, and our travel guide is a better starting point.

Frequently asked questions