Geopolitical Shift in Regional Trade; Iran Seeking to Bypass Maritime Restrictions
Tehran (ISNA) - Developments in West Asia in recent months have not been limited solely to military operations; more than ever, the economic and trade spheres have also been affected by complex regional equations. Moreover, with escalating tensions and restrictions imposed on borders, transit routes previously used for transportation have effectively been disrupted.
After the United States, in response to the failure to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, moved to blockade the Persian Gulf region in the Sea of Oman, commercial and economic interactions—not only in the field of oil and gas, but also concerning other essential products and goods—came under pressure. The U.S. naval blockade was carried out with the aim of inflicting serious economic damage on Iran and its allies in the region and the world in order to force Iran, under pressure from the blockade, to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, just as the United States and the Zionist regime ignored Iran’s strategic and geostrategic position in the Persian Gulf during their attack on Iran, it appears that in deciding on this aggression, every factor was considered except Iran’s geography.
At the same time, the naval blockade is contrary to international law and, under U.S. law itself, is considered an act of war and an inhumane measure. In fact, it represented a unilateral violation of the ceasefire by Washington. U.S. aggression was not limited to these measures, as President Donald Trump announced plans for “Operation Freedom” aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Ultimately, however, in light of enemy movements, firm warnings and positions by the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Washington’s failure to advance its intended objectives regarding ship passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the operation was never implemented and was canceled.
New Transit Corridors Toward Islamabad
Under current conditions, and given the deadlock created in the Persian Gulf region, countries are seeking ways to bypass obstacles and restrictions in order to prevent economic stagnation. Naturally, this issue has also attracted Iran’s attention, as Tehran seeks to secure its essential and strategic needs not through its southern borders, but via alternative routes.
Pakistan, which is acting as a mediator seeking peace between Tehran and Washington and also maintains longstanding friendly relations with Iran, consequently engaged in interactions with Tehran for this purpose. Within this framework, Islamabad and Tehran have taken measures to expand economic activities through land routes. Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce issued an urgent directive authorizing the transit of goods through Pakistani territory, under which goods originating from third countries can be transferred overland to Iran through Pakistan.
As part of bilateral cooperation, Islamabad opened six land transit routes for transporting goods to Iran and officially inaugurated a road corridor.
Iran’s transportation cooperation with its neighbors has not been limited to Pakistan. Following the implementation of the naval blockade, Iran increased its rail trade with China, raising the number of freight trains traveling from Xi’an in central China to Tehran from one train per week to one train every three or four days.
It is noteworthy that the designated routes connect the ports of Karachi, Port Qasim and Gwadar to Iran’s two border crossings at Gabd and Taftan, passing through cities such as Turbat, Panjgur, Khuzdar, Quetta and Dalbandin.
The shortest route, the Gwadar-Gabd corridor, reduces travel time to the Iranian border to two to three hours, while transportation from Karachi port takes approximately 16 to 18 hours. The route can also reduce transportation costs by 45 to 55 percent.
Pakistan-China-Iran Trilateral Cooperation
Farzad Ramazani Bonesh, a senior regional affairs researcher, told ISNA that Pakistan’s participation in the North-South Corridor has long been under consideration by officials in the country.
He stated: “The issue of trilateral cooperation among Pakistan, China and Iran has always been a focus of attention. Therefore, recent developments, including the U.S. and Zionist regime war against Iran and the issue of the naval blockade, have brought new corridors into focus.”
He added: “In fact, bilateral, trilateral and multilateral cooperation over the past month, as well as the launch of Pakistan’s corridor with Iran and Central Asia, are themselves examples of trilateral cooperation and a new beginning in multilateral partnerships.”
Uncertain Outlook for UAE Ports in Relation to Iran
The senior regional affairs expert also stated: “Under current conditions, the use of Pakistani ports, especially Karachi, is receiving increasing attention from officials of both countries. On the other hand, the challenges existing between the UAE and Iran have created an uncertain outlook in the economic sector. In this regard, it seems necessary to take a more serious look at alternative corridors, and Pakistani ports could receive greater attention instead of the UAE.”
Ramazani Bonesh noted: “The launch of new corridors, innovative multilateral communication routes, as well as the activation of the Zahedan-Chabahar railway, all indicate that Iran and Pakistan are attempting to develop relations, transit issues and economic ties in new sectors.”
Regarding the sustainability of these routes for economic and trade exchanges, he said: “Certainly, the outcome of the war and the end of the crisis in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, as well as the positive or negative results of negotiations, the outcome of the ceasefire, or any future scenario, will all affect this matter. However, if the current trend continues and we witness ongoing U.S. and Israeli attacks against Iran, Pakistan’s role in transit and Iran’s foreign trade will likely increase further.”
Pakistan Will Not Be the Only Transit Hub
The senior regional affairs researcher also added: “Of course, if we witness a permanent ceasefire or any kind of understanding that leads to stabilization and a return to previous conditions, we will correspondingly see Pakistan’s role in foreign policy increase gradually and step by step. However, it should also be kept in mind that Pakistan is not the only transit hub in the region.”
Cooperation with neighboring countries and the creation of connectivity corridors is inherently a positive measure. Perhaps Iran should have considered this issue much earlier and improved its transportation infrastructure with countries such as Pakistan or Russia.
Regarding Russia, given that the route passes through the Republic of Azerbaijan, and considering Baku’s close ties with the Zionist regime, the necessary level of trust may not exist. In addition, relatively good infrastructure has also been established with countries such as Turkey and Iraq, though these routes require serious improvements.
In any case, the complex equations of West Asia, although outwardly making conditions difficult for the Islamic Republic of Iran, overlook the fact that Iran’s strategic and geographical position not only provides the country with considerable advantages to reduce sanctions-related pressure and restrictions, but also demonstrates through the transit corridors and routes established that despite the negative impacts on the country’s economy and trade, Iran cannot be isolated.
Furthermore, it should not be forgotten that although land and railway routes are important and desirable and, according to experts, can meet up to 40 percent of the country’s needs, they naturally cannot replace maritime transportation or compensate for it over the long term.