Iran

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Recently, a massive explosion occurred at Shahid Rajaee Port near the southern Iranian city of Bandar Abbas, resulting in 18 deaths and 800 injuries.

About Iran

• Iran, with its capital at Tehran, is a prominent country located in West Asia.
• Iran shares land boundaries with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan to the north, Afghanistan and Pakistan to the east, Iraq to the west, and Turkey to the northwest.
• Iran has maritime borders with Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
• It is bordered by major water bodies, namely the Caspian Sea to the north, and the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to the south.

Geographical Features of Iran

• Iran’s terrain is predominantly marked by the Iranian Plateau, characterised by vast deserts like the Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut.
• The country is home to important mountain ranges such as the Zagros Mountains in the west and the Alborz Mountains in the north.
• Mount Damavand, located in the Alborz Mountain Range, is the highest peak in Iran and also the highest volcano in the Middle East.
• Iran’s climate varies from arid and semi-arid conditions to subtropical regions, especially along the Caspian coast.
• Major rivers in Iran include the Karun, Dez, Karkheh, and Diyala rivers, essential for irrigation and agriculture.
• Iran’s natural resources are abundant and include oil and natural gas, along with coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, and sulphur.

Strategic Importance of Shahid Rajaee Port

• Location: The port is located near the Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly 20% of global oil trade passes, making it a critical chokepoint in global energy security.
• Economic role: It is Iran’s largest and most technologically advanced container port, handling a significant share of the country’s import-export trade.

Iran FAQs

Q1: What is the significance of Iran for India’s foreign policy?
Ans: Iran is crucial for India’s energy security, connectivity projects like the Chabahar Port, and as a gateway to Central Asia under the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

Q2: What is the Chabahar Port project?
Ans: The Chabahar Port in Iran, developed with Indian assistance, provides India direct access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.

Source: TH