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Can Chinese investment provide boost to Iran’s Chabahar port?

As US-Iran ties deteriorated, India slowed down work at Iran’s Chabahar port; yet Chinese investment could bring it back to life.
Iranian flags flutter during an inauguration ceremony for new equipment and infrastructure at the Shahid Beheshti port, in the southeastern coastal city of Chabahar, on the Gulf of Oman, Feb. 25, 2019.

Even though it had been exempted from US economic sanctions, Iran’s Chabahar port project could not take off as various indirect financial drawbacks persisted. Having direct access to the Indian Ocean, the deep-sea port has potential to become a regional trade hub and bring in considerable revenue for Iran.

Yet Chabahar’s fortunes could change soon if China enters the fray. Having finalized a 25-year partnership with Tehran recently, Beijing may invest in the development of the port and help in giving global status.

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