Why it matters:
Chabahar Port is emerging as a key trade hub connecting Central Asia to global markets through the Indian Ocean. Enhanced Iran–Afghanistan collaboration could bolster economic stability in both neighboring countries.
Key Points:
- The province plans to raise daily truck traffic capacity to 3,000 vehicles and expand maritime routes to Oman and other international ports.
- Infrastructure upgrades—including road and rail connectivity and construction of the second Silk Road bridge—are underway to streamline commercial traffic across borders.
- Five active airports in the province are ready to host direct commercial flights between Afghan cities and Iranian trade zones.
- Bilateral trade is projected to soar from $100 million to $10 billion, as both sides pursue security and efficiency in the Chabahar transit corridor.
What they're saying:
Governor Hossein Bijar said Sistan and Baluchestan is prepared to offer logistics discounts for Afghan merchants, aiming to reduce transit costs and increase cargo flow.
Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nooruddin Azizi, called cooperation through Chabahar “vital” for boosting exports and private investment.
The big picture:
The Chabahar route offers Afghanistan secure access to open waters, bypassing other regional chokepoints. For Iran, it strengthens its strategic role as a transit bridge between Central Asia, the West Asia, and Africa.
seyed mohammad kazemi - Mojtaba Darabi
