Document Type : Research
Author
Associate Professor of Political Geography, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
The Makran Coasts approximately align with Dashtyari, Chabahar, Konarak, Zarabad, Jask, and Sirik counties. This geographical area is the only coastal region of Iran with oceanic access and ample potential for development. Regrettably, this strategic and unique region is one of Iran's less developed regions. Not only have its immense capacities remained unutilized, but the lack of planning and negligence has aggravated its backwardness and marginalization. Major potentials of this region include: its capacity to accommodate large urban settlements, huge port, commercial, and transit capabilities, suitability for setting up mother industries and water-intensive industries, high potential for aquaculture, fishing, and the seafood industry, immense tourism capacities, its role as a communication corridor and gateway to Eurasia, connecting Central Asian republics and Afghanistan to coastal countries worldwide, and its proximity to major global markets in the Indian subcontinent and East Asia. The main research question is “Why Iran has failed to tap into the unique capacities of this region so far, and what strategy is needed to actualize these potentials?”. This research employs a descriptive and analytical method, using library and documentary data. The findings indicate that the Islamic Republic of Iran needs to revisit and redesign its macro national strategies and approaches to realize the potential of the Makran Coasts. A prerequisite of any development processes in Makran, Iran, is to adopt a geo-economic strategy and discourse, which can encourage hope, interaction, peace, and development, and runs counter to the classic and ideological geopolitics.
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