Iran has reached a preliminary understanding to allocate approximately 110 hectares of land at its strategic Chabahar port to Afghanistan, potentially giving the landlocked country improved access to maritime trade.
Mohsen Zangeneh, head of the Iranian Parliament’s Special Commission for Supporting Production, announced the plan following talks with Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce earlier this week.
Under the agreement, Afghanistan will receive around 10 hectares of coastal land at Chabahar port and more than 100 hectares within the port’s special economic zone during the initial phase.
The land will be used for investment and the development of infrastructure to facilitate the transit of goods.
Zangeneh told Sahar TV that the Afghan government would invest in developing the facilities, though he did not specify whether the land would be leased or transferred into Afghan ownership.
Afghanistan had requested a larger area, but restrictions have limited the initial agreement to approximately 110 hectares.
The two sides reached a preliminary understanding and discussions on expanding the allocation are continuing.
The talks also covered establishing a joint industrial park and increasing bilateral trade between Iran and Afghanistan to $10 billion.
Located on the Gulf of Oman, Chabahar is Iran’s only oceanic port with direct access to the Indian Ocean.
The port has emerged as an alternative to Pakistani ports for Afghan trade, offering the landlocked nation a crucial gateway to international markets.
India has also played a role in developing the port, though US sanctions on Iran have affected investment and commercial activity in recent years.
This announcement follows an earlier statement made in November 2025 by the CEO of the Chabahar Free Zone Organisation, who indicated readiness to allocate between 100 and 200 hectares to Afghanistan for economic activities.
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