Iran Devising Plans to Build Int’l Airport on Sea of Oman Coast


TEHRAN (Tasnim) - A top Iranian presidential aide said the administration seeks to build a new international airport in the southern port city of Jask, on the rims of the Sea of Oman, in cooperation with the Navy.

Speaking to the Tasnim News Agency on Sunday, Akbar Torkan, an adviser to Iran's president, said the administration has proposed expanding a military airport in the southern port into an international airport that could offer the civil aviation services as well.

He said the Iranian Navy, which possesses the military airport in Jask, has given the administration the nod on the proposed plan, and has expressed preparedness to help develop the project.

The plan to establish an international airport in the port of Jask was proposed after President Hassan Rouhani paid a visit to southern province of Hormozgan in February.

During his trip, Rouhani said his administration has devised development plans for the country’s southern littoral provinces on the rims of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, including initiatives to develop new industries.

Addressing a huge gathering of people in Hormozgan at the time, the Iranian chief executive had hailed the province as a “very important and strategic” one for the country, noting that plans are currently underway to give a fresh impetus to that region’s economy and industry.

“One of the objectives of the administration ... will be to make the southern coasts and islands in the Persian Gulf region and the Sea of Oman flourish,” the president announced.

He went on to say that Iran’s southern coastline, which stretches about 2,000 kilometers, needs to develop by the creation and promotion of industries such as steelmaking and ship-building.