See; Chahbahar is a viable port location. Plus its hinterland is secured. The world has to recognise (including USA. LOL) that Iran has manged to keep that part of the country well under control. Now let me sketch you a scenario that may seem fantastic, but is neither impossible or unbelievable. That USA allow India to use Chahbahar to connect Afganistan to the world and vice-versa. This has been the subject of many discussions between India and USA and the US resistance to the idea has not only waned but actually has tacitly accepted that possibility.
Another more radical and less believable extension to that scenario: that the USA can use this route in future to sustain the remaining US presence in Afghanistan post the 2014 draw-down in Afghanistan. Even Russia will not oppose that idea. So let us keep watching and see how this prediction pans out. Don't believe me, but keep a sharp eye to the future.
One thing is crystal clear: that any effort to stabilise Afghanistan has to be multilateral; it cannot be the preserve of an "exclusive club". So that is where Russia and Iran and other countries come in. Even Mr.Larijani has indicated his support to such moves. And USA has wisened up to the fact that if it accedes to this, its own acceptability in the region will go up. Events taking place in USA including Chuck Hagel's appointment as DefSec point towards this. Now Iran must act in a mature response; even Iran will gain from it.
