Given the border tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan and the repeated closures of border crossings in recent years, the Taliban regime has been compelled to seek alternative transit routes. One such route is Iran’s Chabahar Port. A Taliban official recently stated that, to avoid losses for traders, they do not want to rely on a single country or route. According to him, Chabahar Port is now operational and should be utilized extensively. It is worth noting that the war in Ukraine has blocked Russia’s transit and trade routes to Europe, further complicating Afghanistan’s transit challenges. Chabahar Port is one of Afghanistan’s closest access points to open waters and is geographically closer to Afghanistan’s border than Pakistan’s Karachi Port. It has the potential to become Afghanistan’s main transit route for goods. Additionally, Chabahar serves as the nearest transit access for the landlocked Central Asian countries to the open seas, which grants it strategic significance. In May 2016, a trilateral transit agreement between Afghanistan, Iran, and India was signed, facilitating Afghanistan’s use of this port. Under this agreement, Afghanistan can export its goods to India and other countries and import essential commodities. The preamble of this agreement emphasizes strengthening cooperation and enhancing the economic relations of the three countries at both the regional and global levels. Moreover, Afghanistan’s access to open waters through Chabahar Port is guaranteed under international conventions, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This benefits Afghanistan, as the country is entitled to special rights and privileges as a landlocked state. See more... https://8am.media/eng/opportunities-and-challenges-the-importance-of-chabahar-port/