Geography

Geography

Geo-economic insight and maritime strategy: recommendations for Iran's development

Document Type : Research Article

Author
Hadi Veicy
Associate Professor of Political Geography, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/jiga.2025.2060049.1401
Abstract
Extended Abstract
Introduction
The vast territory of Iran has a unique geographical and geopolitical position. The characteristic of Iran's relative position is that it is located in the maritime and oceanic position, the axis position and direct access to the surrounding geopolitical regions, and in general, it is in a hinge position. Nevertheless, Iran has not been able to use the extraordinary capacities and advantages of its position in the new world. Iran has not been able to benefit from its good position in line with the development and national interests and increasing the production of its power and wealth. The aim of this research is to provide insight and a suitable strategy for taking advantage of Iran's capacities and advantages in new regional and global relations in order to develop and increase Iran's power and dignity.
Despite Iran's great territorial location, Iran has not only been unable to take the initiative in designing and creating joint regional economic projects, but has also been eliminated by competitors in many regional projects (regional corridors and international regional oil and gas pipelines). Ignoring Iran's territory and excluding Iran from regional projects is a very important problem that requires careful consideration.
Methodology
The current research is applied in terms of its nature and has been carried out in a descriptive and analytical method. The data required for the research has been collected by the library method and through note taking collection. It has been tried to use reliable sources and new and documented scientific articles and theories of experts related to the subject. The researcher has tried to first explain the conceptual foundations and theoretical views of the subject, then to criticize the geopolitical discourse and the current situation of the Islamic Republic of Iran with a geo-economic perspective and insight. It has also been tried to explain the geo-economic strategic vision and its complement of maritime orientation with a view to the future for the progress and development of Iran and the necessity of choosing and using it.
Result and discussion
Strategy is the best attitude and vision and a practical macro plan among different approaches and perspectives to achieve the desired goals. Strategy is a key and central issue in governance and statecraft. In state affairs, macro strategies largely determine the direction, planning system and future direction of each country.
In the new world, countries have been the pioneers of growth and development that have defined their national macro strategies based on economic motivations. In terms of nature, geo-economics is a kind of macro strategy and practical insight to secure and defend national interests.
In the new age, economy and economic factors are the basis of decision-making and power relations. Foreign policy of countries cannot be sustainable and successful without economic considerations and giving priority to the economic field.
In the absence of a correct strategic vision, Iran's numerous capacities and advantages in the field of trade and commerce have been suspended, and the creation of suitable and optimal transit routes and commercial corridors from Iran's territory has been neglected. Iran's rival regional powers, with the cooperation of Iran's neighbors and the support of world powers, have defined numerous international transportation corridors and energy pipeline projects that have practically bypassed Iran's optimal position and excluded Iran from international projects. It seems that the regional powers do not consider the Islamic Republic of Iran as a reliable and trustworthy partner in joint economic cooperation and do not tie their interests with Iran.
In the past four decades, the ideological geopolitical strategy of the Islamic Republic of Iran has hindered the prioritization of the economy in Iran's policies, especially in foreign policy.
Resilience of Iran's economy and reduction of vulnerability cannot be researched by the strategy of isolationism and closed door policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The geo-economic strategy and vision based on maritime orientation, which clearly supports the policies of open doors and increasing trade and commerce networks to be placed in the space of currents, can be the key and open the way for Iran to develop in the new world.
Conclusion
In the new world relations, Iran needs to review its macro policies and development strategy to benefit from its unique capacities. Although Iran is intrinsically located in a focal and hinged position among

 
many neighbors and geopolitical regions, from the perspective of geo-economics and the structure of the flow space, it is in the margin and isolation of the world. The research results show that Iran needs geo-economic insight and maritime strategy to activate its geographic and territorial capacities and advantages. Iran, in the light of geo-economic insight, can be inserted in the processes of regional development and the space of currents. By adopting the geo-economic vision and maritime strategy, ports and coastal areas, especially the Makran region, will become the drivers of Iran's development.
Keywords
Geo-economics
Maritime Strategy
Economic Corridors
Development

Subjects

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Geography
Volume 23, Issue 86
Autumn2024, pp.1-200.
Autumn 2025
Pages 71-89