Strategic Analysis of Iran’s Geotransit Position in Light of Iraq's Corridor Initiative

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Department of Geograph, Lorestan University, Lorestan, Iran.

2 Professor, Political Geography, Faculty of Geographical Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.

3 Master's degree student, Political Geography, Faculty of Geographical Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.

4 Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Lorestan University, Lorestan, Iran.

Abstract

Extended abstract
Owing to its unique geopolitical and geographical position, Iran has long been a central node in vital international corridors within the Middle East. This strategic advantage provides a foundation for enhancing national power, expanding economic influence, and forming strategic blocs with neighboring countries. If properly leveraged, Iran's geotransit capacity could become one of its most significant sources of non-oil revenue, crucially augmenting its geopolitical and geoeconomic weight. However, intensifying competition among regional states to establish dominant intercontinental transit routes places Iran at risk of marginalization and replacement. A prominent example of this competition is Iraq's Development Road project, which aims to create a high-capacity corridor connecting the Port of Faw in southern Iraq to Turkey and onward to Europe. Backed by countries like Turkey, the UAE, and Qatar, this initiative seeks to position Iraq as the primary transport route for goods between the Persian Gulf and Europe. In light of this challenge, the primary question of this study is: What are the impacts of the Iraqi Development Road project on Iran’s geotransit position, and how do these impacts manifest across economic, political, and security dimensions?
 

Research Methodology

This article employs an analytical-descriptive research approach and is classified as applied research in terms of its objective. Data and information have been collected through documentary sources, including written materials such as books, scholarly articles, official records, statistical yearbooks, management reports, and relevant databases. The analysis is based on a systematic review of these documentary materials.
 

Findings and Discussion

The Iraq Development Road project is structured in three phases designed to connect the Port of Faw to Turkey and Europe via modern highways and railways. This initiative aims not only to alleviate Iraq’s geographical isolation and reduce its dependency on the Persian Gulf but also to redefine Baghdad's role in the regional order by increasing its share of global trade and transit.
The research findings indicate that this project impacts Iran’s geotransit position on several levels. First, at the infrastructural and commercial level, the Faw-Turkey route—with a capacity to transport tens of millions of tons of goods—directly competes with Iran’s North-South corridors, its connections to the Belt and Road Initiative, and its East-West routes. By attracting foreign investment and offering lower transportation times and costs, this new route risks marginalizing existing transit corridors through Iran, significantly reducing its transit trade volume. This risk is amplified by the participation of key regional players, which increases the likelihood that countries like China and Turkey may shift their logistics networks away from Iranian routes. Second, at the political and diplomatic level, the project's success would diminish Iran's influence in regional equations. This trend is indicated by the reduction of Iraq's dependency on Iranian infrastructure, Baghdad's strategic pivot towards Arab nations and Turkey, and the sidelining of joint initiatives such as the Shalamcheh-Basra railway line. Concurrently, Turkey aims to establish itself as the new regional hub for East-West and North-South transit, effectively bypassing Iran. Third, at the security and strategic level, an increased presence of third-party actors in Iraq—including Turkey and Gulf states, with potential indirect involvement from Western powers—raises significant concerns for the security of Iran's western borders. The expansion of Turkish influence in northern Iraq, the potential for heightened activity by Kurdish opposition groups, and threats arising from increased social unrest and illegal immigration are among the key risks this project poses to Iran.
However, the findings suggest that Iran can mitigate some negative consequences and potentially leverage them into opportunities by adopting a proactive policy. Proposed strategies include strengthening domestic transit infrastructure, reviving stalled projects like the Shalamcheh-Basra railway, and pursuing conditional participation in certain regional initiatives.
 

Conclusion

The Iraq Development Road project represents a significant geopolitical transformation on Iran's western flank, with profound long-term implications for the Islamic Republic's geotransit standing. If fully realized, this initiative could not only challenge Iran's role in regional corridors but also transfer critical economic and security advantages to its competitors. Consequently, Iran's response is crucial. By adopting a proactive, realistic, and multifaceted strategy—one that strengthens domestic infrastructure, reforms economic diplomacy, and engages intelligently with regional and international actors—Iran can counteract these threats and solidify its influential role in the region's transit equations. Failure to do so, however, risks transit isolation, diminished regional influence, and a marked decline in its geopolitical weight.

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References

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POLITICAL QUARTERLY
Volume 55, Issue 4
December 2025
Pages 1127-1087

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History

  • Receive Date: 12 May 2025
  • Revise Date: 08 June 2025
  • Accept Date: 12 August 2025

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