Geoeconomic explanation of Silk Road and its effect on Iran's regional power

ABSTRACT
In terms of geo-economic potentials, the Silk Road has a privileged status among countries in different areas such as Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and West Asia. Iran is one of the countries located on this road. Rich energy and mineral resources are among Iran's most important economic attractions. In addition, Iran is geographically located in one of the most unique geo-economic positions in the world. However, in recent decades, due to the weakness of the political management of space and especially international problems, the corridors have not been used to transform the said potential into regional power. In this context, the current research has studied the geo-economic role of the Silk Road and its impact on Iran's regional power with a descriptive-analytical and survey method. The statistical population consists of all experts in the field of political geography, whose sample size was determined to be 35 people. The analysis of the findings was based on the similarity of cosine economic models, and SPSS software was used. The results showed that developing the Silk Road, in addition to improving Iran's position in economic, commercial, political, and military terms, could also widen the range of economic diplomacy in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Silk Road development can provide Iran's geo-economic interests among the countries of Central Asia, the Caspian, and the Indian subcontinent. It can also increase the export of oil and energy, as well as increase the cooperation and dependencies of Central Asian countries, especially China.
 
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Iran’s strategic geographic position has long made it a vital crossroads connecting East and West, as well as North and South. The passage of the historical Silk Road through Iranian territory transformed the country into a major commercial and cultural hub. In the modern era, with China’s revival of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Iran’s geoeconomic significance has gained renewed attention. Its vast energy resources, access to open seas, proximity to major regional and transregional markets, and location along key international corridors offer considerable potential for increasing Iran’s regional power. However, over recent decades, this potential has not been fully realized due to inadequate spatial political management, infrastructure challenges, and international pressures. This paper aims to analyze the geoeconomic role of the Silk Road in enhancing Iran’s regional power and to identify the key factors influencing the optimal use of this opportunity.
 
Methodology
This study employs a descriptive-analytical and survey-based research design. The statistical population includes political geography experts in Iran. Using Cochran’s formula, a sample of 35 experts was selected. Data were collected via a researcher-designed questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale. The validity of the research instrument was assessed through content analysis and expert review, while its reliability was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software, applying statistical models such as cosine similarity and frequency analysis. The questionnaire included items on the impact of the Silk Road on various components of Iran’s regional power, including economy, politics, security, diplomacy, and regional interdependencies.
 
Results and discussion
The results indicate that the revitalization of the Silk Road could exert multi-layered and positive effects on Iran’s regional power. On the economic front, the development of oil, gas, petrochemical, and other raw material exports-particularly to Central Asia, the Caspian region, and the Indian subcontinent-was identified as a major benefit. Other potential advantages include increased foreign direct investment, growth in foreign exchange revenues through transit, and a boost in tourism. Politically, deeper economic engagement could enhance Iran’s economic diplomacy and strengthen its bargaining power in regional and international negotiations. Improved relations with powers such as China and Russia, along with increased economic interdependence among regional states, may also expand Iran’s political influence. In the security domain, given regional countries’ dependence on Iranian transit routes, the Silk Road could serve as a lever for fostering regional stability and reducing geopolitical threats.
Statistical analysis of the questionnaire revealed high average responses for key indicators: growth in energy exports (4.66), petrochemical exports (4.71), foreign investment attraction (4.66), enhancement of cultural relations (4.66), and strategic partnerships (4.81).
These findings are consistent with domestic studies, including those by MirMohammadi et al. (2019), Zarei (2021), and Pishgahi-Fard and Ranjbari (2020), all of which emphasize Iran’s geoeconomic potential as a transit corridor. The results also align with international research, such as Becquelin (2019) and Fallon (2015), which highlight the Silk Road’s strategic role in shaping a new Eurasian economic order-indicating this study’s coherence with the broader body of global academic literature.
 
Conclusion
Given its substantial geoeconomic capacities, Iran-if equipped with effective political management, upgraded infrastructure, and an active economic diplomacy-can emerge as an influential player in the regional and global order. The development of the Silk Road presents a unique opportunity for diversifying foreign exchange income, reducing oil dependence, expanding regional influence, and transforming Iran into a central axis connecting East and West, North and South. However, realizing this vision requires overcoming internal obstacles such as bureaucratic inefficiency, underdeveloped transportation infrastructure, investment insecurity, and weak regional and international engagement. Therefore, it is recommended that a national strategy be developed to maximize the geoeconomic potential of the Silk Road, making it a top priority in Iran’s economic and diplomatic policymaking.
 
Funding
There is no funding support.
 
Authors’ Contribution
Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.
 
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
 We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.