US Sanctions on Chabahar Port ‘Ineffective,’ Says Iran’s Envoy to Kabul

DID Press: Alireza Bikdeli, Iran’s chargé d’affaires in Kabul, has dismissed the impact of recent U.S. sanctions on Iran’s strategic Chabahar Port, saying the pressure has instead strengthened Tehran’s determination to expand regional transit cooperation.

Speaking to an Afghanistan media outlet, Bikdeli said that “U.S. sanctions against Chabahar have had no negative impact; on the contrary, they have reinforced the Islamic Republic of Iran’s resolve to further utilize its transit potential.”

His remarks come as Washington considers new sanctions targeting Iran’s economic and infrastructure projects, including the Chabahar Port — a key regional trade hub that connects Afghanistan and Central Asia to the Indian Ocean.

Economic cooperation between Iran and Afghanistan is on a growth trajectory, with both countries seeking to accelerate the transit of goods through existing regional routes, the Iranian diplomat added.

“Iran does not view Afghanistan merely as a market,” Bikdeli emphasized. “We see it as a neighboring and brotherly country. Expanding economic relations will contribute to economic growth and improve the livelihoods of the Afghanistan people.”