The CEO of the Dogharoun Free Trade Zone says the benefits of the Chabahar–Islam Qala (Dogharoun) corridor “go into Afghanistan’s pocket, not Iran’s.”
He told ISNA that using the route is not economically justified for Iran due to high transport costs and the absence of a railway.
Mohammad-Reza Modoudi said: “The Chabahar–Dogharoun route is a one-way corridor. Truckers aren’t willing to transport cargo in just one direction — they need loads both ways.”
He added that Afghan traders buy heavy trucks at “one-tenth” of the Iranian price, making transport along this route far cheaper for them.
According to Modoudi, Iranian traders cannot make effective use of Chabahar because of high transport costs and the expensive price of trucks.
Dogharoun (Islam Qala) is one of eastern Iran’s key corridors, serving as a critical link between the oceanic port of Chabahar, Afghanistan, and Central Asia. The route has the potential to create new opportunities for economic growth, investment, and regional trade.
Access to Chabahar holds strategic importance for Afghanistan, especially now that the Taliban have ordered Afghan traders to halt commerce with Pakistan. The route could facilitate Afghanistan’s access to open waters.
