Iranian envoy deems Western transport routes vulnerable, calls for diversified corridors

Iran’s Ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, warned on April 1 that traditional sea and land transport routes oriented toward the West are increasingly vulnerable amid rising global instability.

Speaking at the International Transport and Logistics Forum, Jalali said that sea routes passing through strategic chokepoints, such as the Suez Canal, and straits under Western influence face heightened security risks, rising insurance costs, and potential disruptions to the flow of goods, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media. 

He also noted that some Western-oriented rail and road routes have become subject to geopolitical pressure, tariff barriers, and administrative restrictions.

In this context, the ambassador emphasised that security considerations are becoming more important than trade in the current era of global competition and unilateral sanctions. He described the world as entering a period of systemic confrontation, where countries are restructuring their transport networks to enhance resilience against geopolitical pressures.

Jalali highlighted Russia’s role as a strategic bridge between Europe, Asia, and the Arctic, stressing that the country’s transport policy is evolving into a national strategy that not only strengthens territorial integrity but also boosts Russia’s global geo-economic influence. He pointed to the development of east-west and north-south corridors—including the Trans-Siberian Railway, the North-South International Transport Corridor, and Arctic shipping routes—as tools to enhance both trade and security.

The ambassador also suggested that Russian and Iranian interests converge in the transport sector, creating opportunities for strategic cooperation. He said that connecting the Trans-Siberian Railway and the Northern Sea Route with southern corridors passing through Iran to the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean could form the basis of a sustainable, multi-route network that alleviates pressure on traditional sea lanes.

By Sabina Mammadli