- By Nidhi Giri
- Mon, 16 Mar 2026 12:33 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Explosions were heard after US fighter jets bombed military facilities near the Chabahar Free Trade Zone in Iran, reported Voice of America on Monday. The trade zone is situated on Iran's southeastern border with Pakistan.
The attack comes as Iran is facing one of the biggest crises in its history after the United States and Israel launched a joint military strike against it on February 28. Tehran's retaliation has further escalated tensions in the Middle East, with growing fears of uncertainty over trade, fuel and economic cooperation.
Chabahar Port, located in the southeastern region on the Gulf of Oman, is the only oceanic port of Iran. India has undertaken to develop the Shahid Beheshti Port at Chabahar, by equipping and operating General Cargo and Container Terminal for a period of 10 years. The port provides India with a direct maritime and land route to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.
Why is Chabahar Port Crucial For India?
1. Chabahar Port offers India direct access to Afghanistan, Central Asia and Europe while bypassing Pakistan.
2. Strategically positioned outside the Strait of Hormuz, it remains largely insulated from West Asian conflict-related disruptions.
3. The port is a key part of the International North-South Transport Corridor, a multimodal network linking the Indian Ocean to Europe via Iran and Russia, cutting shipping time by nearly 15 days compared to the Suez route.
4. In 2024, India signed a 10-year agreement with Iran, committing USD 370 million through India Ports Global Ltd, highlighting its long-term strategic intent.
5. More than a commercial hub, Chabahar underpins India’s trade security, regional connectivity and humanitarian outreach to Afghanistan, making it central to New Delhi’s geopolitical and economic strategy as it targets a $10 trillion economy.
6. The Chabahar port is being developed by India and Iran to boost connectivity and trade ties. Both the countries are also strongly pitching for making Chabahar port an integral part of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
7. The INSTC is a 7,200-km-long multi-mode transport project for moving freight among India, Iran, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia and Europe.