Economic Analysis of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)'s Impact on Iran's Economic Development: Opportunities and Challenges

This paper examines the economic effects of the North-South Transport Corridor (NSTC) on Iran's economic development. The North-South Corridor, as a major transportation route stretching from the Caspian Sea to the Arabian Sea via transit through Iran's neighboring countries, presents significant opportunities for Iran's economic growth. Among the project's positive impacts are increased trade, infrastructure development, employment generation, and industrial and agricultural expansion. However, challenges such as environmental concerns and other obstacles require careful study and effective policy solutions. Accordingly, the central research question of this paper is: What impact has the North-South Corridor had on Iran's economic development, and what opportunities and challenges has it created in realizing this development? In response to this question, the hypothesis posits that the implementation of the North-South Corridor as a large-scale transport and logistics project can enhance Iran's economic development capacity. This development includes trade growth, infrastructure expansion, job creation, and industrial and agricultural progress. Nevertheless, this growth may face challenges such as environmental issues, political hurdles, transit competition, and technical difficulties associated with the project. This paper analyzes the various dimensions of the North-South Corridor's economic effects and their implications for Iran's economic development.