The China-Europe freight train network operating through the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area (SCODA) in Qingdao, a coastal city in eastern China, achieved a new record in both the number of train operations and total freight volume delivered in 2025, according to Qingdao Customs.
During the period, Qingdao Customs oversaw 1,225 China-Europe freight train departures and arrivals at the SCODA, handling a total of 840,000 metric tons of import and export cargo.
Both train operations and freight volume increased by more than 20 percent year on year, marking a new high for the same period in history.
Since the launch of the SCODA, a total of 5,491 China-Europe freight trains have been dispatched and received, with 450,000 TEUs of containers and 3.8 million tons of import and export goods transported.
SCO demonstration area in coastal Qingdao reports expanding Europe-bound freight train services in 2025
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned on Sunday that Tehran would view the United States and Israel's military bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" should Washington take military action against Iran.
At a parliamentary session convened to review an emergency proposal on assembly regulations, Qalibaf emphasized that, at this highly sensitive juncture, Iran must accurately and thoroughly identify the schemes of its adversaries.
Qalibaf said that Iran is currently confronting Israel and the United States simultaneously on four fronts: economic, cognitive, military, and counterterrorism. Of them, the economic warfare and the cognitive and psychological warfare began many years ago and have persisted to this day, growing increasingly complex and intense in recent years.
The remarks came as U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran, taking advantage of its nationwide unrest.
Protests have erupted in several Iranian cities since late December over the sharp fall of the rial and long-standing economic hardship. Iranian authorities have acknowledged the demonstrations and voiced willingness to address economic grievances, while warning against violence and vandalism.
Amid the ongoing protests, deadly clashes have been reported lately between police and what the government described as "rioters." However, no official death toll has been released.
Also on Sunday, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will address the country's economic situation and political environment in a televised interview later that day.
Iran swears to counterattack if attacked
