Makran
Iran's southeast Arabian Sea coastline; only naval access outside the Gulf and Hormuz chokepoint.
Last refreshed: 22 April 2026
Why has Iran's Makran coast become strategically vital since the Hormuz blockade began?
Timeline for Makran
Mentioned in: Seven VLCCs at Chabahar, three at Hormuz
Iran Conflict 2026- Where is the Makran coast in Iran?
- The Makran coast is Iran's southeastern shoreline on the Arabian Sea, running through Sistan-Baluchestan province for roughly 700 km. It contains Chabahar port and borders Pakistan's Balochistan.
- Why is Makran important during the Hormuz blockade?
- Makran's Chabahar port is Iran's only significant maritime exit outside the blockaded Strait of Hormuz. Iran has been routing oil exports through Chabahar, with 7 VLCCs detected there on 20 April 2026.Source: Windward
- How close is Chabahar to Gwadar?
- Chabahar (Iran) and Gwadar (Pakistan) are approximately 80 km apart on the Makran coast, making them direct competitors for Arabian Sea transit trade and Central Asian connectivity.
Background
The Makran coast is Iran's southeastern seaboard on the Arabian Sea, stretching through Sistan-Baluchestan province and bordering Pakistan's Balochistan. It contains Chabahar, Iran's deep-water port and the country's only significant maritime exit outside the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. As the US naval blockade of Hormuz entered its 53rd day, Makran gained operational significance: seven Very Large Crude Carriers were detected near Chabahar on 20 April 2026, tracking Iran's attempted rerouting of oil exports away from the blockaded strait.
Makran has historically been one of Iran's least developed coastlines, with sparse infrastructure outside Chabahar. The coast runs roughly 700 km from the Pakistan border west toward the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian Navy maintains a presence at Jask, near the strait's western approach, and at Chabahar. British and Indian naval vessels also transited the region during Coalition operations responding to Iranian attacks on shipping.
The geopolitical significance of Makran extends beyond Iran: Pakistan's Gwadar port sits 80 km east of Chabahar and is the western terminus of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. China's interest in stable Makran access — Iranian and Pakistani — is a factor in Beijing's careful diplomacy over the Hormuz conflict.
