Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Assistant Professor, Department of Political Geography, Faculty of Passive Defense, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
2
Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Political Geography and Geopolitics, Faculty of Humanities, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi, Iran.
Abstract
Transit corridors represent one of the delicate and critical areas that economic transformation of countries and their might in the global geometry of power depends upon. Considering the effects of sanctions on the Iranian economy, it is necessary for this country to strategically plan for developing and strengthening its transit linkages, thus, weakening sanctions regimes. The transit corridor of the Persian Gulf which has the potential to integrate the transportation network between Iran, Iraq, Syria, and the Persian Gulf countries, represents one of the critical transit axes that have often been discussed. The development of this corridor can lead to the development of the national economy, strengthen convergence between regional actors, secure Iran's territories and improve geopolitical relations, thus paving the way for the optimal integration of Iran in the international system. In line with the foregoing, the present article uses a descriptive-exploratory method to determine strategies for developing the Persian Gulf-Mediterranean transit corridor, as well as investigating its implications on Iran standing with regards to its regional and extra-regional relations.
The results show that if the Persian Gulf-Mediterranean Corridor were to be developed, Iran will assume a greater role in maintaining the security of the axis of resistance, and moreover, the security of Western Asian countries will be tied to that of Iran. Furthermore, the development of this corridor will improve the economic and strategic power of the axis of resistance by providing a means for the region to end the current impasse in the transit and economic fields. Currently, the region is engulfed by tensions and non-economic political considerations which have undermined mutual security. This is despite the fact that economic potential that is currently dormant in the region and its activation could enhance security and wealth in the region.
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