Iran's look east policy and its role in the sustainable development of Amirabad port with a focus on the belt and road initiative

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

After the Iranian Revolution in 1979, various approaches were adopted in Iran's foreign policy. One of these approaches was the Look East Policy, which was seriously addressed during the ninth government. This policy marked a significant shift from the pre-revolution foreign policy. In this approach, Iran emphasized cooperation with Eastern countries to enhance its international position, ensuring national interests and security. Accordingly, sustainable development along the coasts is one of the advantages of the Look East Policy, which Iran can emphasize given its geopolitical position. The North-South Corridor, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization are tools that, in addition to emphasizing the Look East Policy, can foster sustainable coastal development and facilitate Iran's economic advancement and integration into regional flows. Amirabad Port, as the largest northern port of the country, connected to the southern coasts through road and rail routes, can play a crucial role in this regard. Therefore, this study seeks to answer the question: "What impact can the Look East Policy have on the development of Amirabad Port?" This research is descriptive-analytical in nature, utilizing library-documentary methods and drawing from books, scientific-research articles, and online resources. Ultimately, the study concludes that the Look East Policy can activate the capacities of Amirabad Port and promote its sustainable development, as well as attract foreign investments for revenue generation and job creation at regional and national levels.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

Adami, A., 2010. The Strategy of Eastward Orientation in the Foreign Policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran: Perspectives, Contexts, and Opportunities. Quarterly Journal of Political Studies, v. 2(7), p. 97-126. Retrieved from https://jourm.azadshahr.iau.ir/article_666106.html. (In Persian).
AFP. 2021. Iran looks east after China-led bloc OKs entry. Retrieved from France24: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210918-iran-looks-east-after-china-led-bloc-oks-entry
Amirabad Port. 2021. North-South Corridor. Retrieved from Ports and Maritime Organization and Amirabad Special Economic Zone: https://amirabadport.pmo.ir/fa/aboutus/introduction. (In Persian).
Ansari-Nasab, M. and Bidmal, N., 2022. Analysis of Iran's Multilateral Trade to Optimize the Geopolitical Position of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Central Eurasian Studies, v. 15(2), p. 103-127. doi:10.22059/JCEP.2022.338994.450061. (In Persian).
Bozorgi, V. and Hosseini, M., 2010. Shanghai Cooperation Organization: Past Developments and Future Outlook. Central Eurasian Studies, v. 3(7), p. 1-27. Retrieved from https://jcep.ut.ac.ir/article_22257.htm (In Persian).
Brundtland Commission., 1987. Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our Common Future. New York: United Nations General Assembly. Retrieved from https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/5987our-common-future.pdf
CGTN. 2022. SCO Summit 2022: Trade among members rises to $6 trillion in 2020 from $667 billion since group was founded in 2001. Retrieved from CGTN: https://news.cgtn.com/news/2022-09-12/VHJhbnNjcmlwdDY4MzQx/index.html
Chao, W.C., 2022. The Political Economy of China’s Rising Role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO): Leading with Balance. The Chinese Economy, v. 55(4), p. 293-302. Doi: doi.org/10.1080/10971475.2021.1972548
Clark, W. and Harley, A., 2020. Sustainability Science: Toward a Synthesis. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, v. 45(1), p. 331-386. Doi: 10.1146/annurev-environ-012420-043621
Factbook. 2023. The CIA World Factbook (Ebook ed.). New York: Skyhorse Publishing.
Johnson, J.A., Baldos, U.L., Corong, E., Hertel, T., Polasky, S., Cervigni, R. and Thakrar, S., 2023. Investing in nature can improve equity and economic returns. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PANS), v. 120(27), e2220401120. doi:10.1073/pnas.2220401120.
Khaliq, R., 2019. Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit kicks off in Bishkek. Retrieved from Anadolu: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/shanghai-cooperation-organization-summit-kicks-off-in-bishkek/1504148
KPMG., 2019. China's Belt and Road Initiative. Retrieved at KPMG: https://kpmg.com/xx/en/home/insights/2019/12/china-belt-and-road-initiative-and-the-global-chemical-industry.html
Kuo, L. and Kommenda, N., 2018. What is China's Belt and Road Initiative? Retrieved from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/cities/ng-interactive/2018/jul/30/what-china-belt-road-initiative-silk-road-explainer.
Operations and Statistics System., 2023. Amirabad Port Operations and Statistics System. Tehran: Ports and Maritime Organization. Retrieved from https://www.pmo.ir/fa/filepool2/download/884b8ee4caf4953ec6ae87e16b87d043d60eee51ae2e2c6db1f6b35e833c3aa2. (In Persian).
Rezvani, M.R., Ghadiri, M. and Abbasi-Kali, M., 2017. The Role of Amirabad Special Economic Zone in Regional Development of East Mazandaran. Maritime Transportation Industry, v. 3(4), p. 27-35. Retrieved from https://jmti.pmo.ir/article_59650_dc319df805ea610e36d717401ff8dd84.pdf. (In Persian).
Shafiee, N. and Sadeghi, Z., 2010. Iran's Options in Foreign Relations Based on the Eastward Policy. Yas Strategy, (22). Retrieved from https://www.sid.ir/paper/494865/fa. (In Persian).
Smith, S.N., 2021. China's Major Country Diplomacy: Legitimation and Foreign Policy Change. Foreign Policy Analysis, v. 17(2), p. 1-18. Retrieved from 10.1093/fpa/orab002
Statista., 2023. Population - Statistics & Facts. Retrieved from Statista: https://www.statista.com/topics/776/population/#topicOverview
Strategic Comments., 2018. The evolution of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Strategic Comments, v. 24(5), vii-ix. doi:10.1080/13567888.2018.1495424
The Economist., 2020. The pandemic is hurting China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Retrieved from The Economist: https://www.economist.com/china/2020/06/04/the-pandemic-is-hurting-chinas-belt-and-road-initiative
WORLD BANK., 2018. Belt and Road Initiative. Retrieved from WORLD BANK: http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/regional-integration/brief/belt-and-road-initiative
Xinhua., 2018. China unveils action plan on Belt and Road Initiative. Retrieved from Xinhua.
Yu, H., 2017. Motivation behind China’s One Belt, One Road’ Initiatives and Establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Journal of Contemporary China, v. 26(105), p. 353-368. Doi:10.1080/10670564.2016.1245894.
 
Researches in Earth Sciences
Volume 16, Special Issue - Serial Number 64
Special Issue
December 2025
Pages 144-154

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics