‘Resistance Connectivity’ – Iran in the Eurasian Connectivity ‘Great Game’

In the 21st century ‘great game’ of interconnectivity Iran has a huge potential through its location on the crossroads between east and west, north and south, on land and on sea as well. International sanctions and political standoffs, nevertheless, seem to prevent the international community of making use of the Iranian location, strengthening the Iranian sense of ‘strategic loneliness’. Though disruptions may be caused by regional and/or global developments not directly related to Iran, others are deliberately aiming at its exclusion: the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC)Footnote1 of India’s preference - originally planned to connect India through Iran and Russia to Europe - has been impacted by Russia’s war in the UkraineFootnote2, while the China-preferred Middle Corridor as well as the India and the west-supported IMEC – even if its potential track has been questioned – seemed to avoid Iranian territory. Yet, the Iranian location’s relevance was reflected by President Trump’s giving exemption to the development of the Chahbahar port during his first presidency. This is indication enough that further – or even currently emerging - regional conflicts may also impact routes presently seeming advantageous, too.