At the crossroads of both political and economic influence, Iran is preparing for a surge in foreign investment after sanctions against the country are lifted.

International investment is likely to�surge to�Iran as�the country is a key strategic player in�the Middle East and is economically placed at�the crossroads of�Asia and Europe, Vladimir Sazhin, a political scientist at�the Russian Academy of�Sciences' Oriental Institute told Sputnik.

Prospects are high for�Iran, which could see a re-rating of�its assets that could create a massive windfall for�investors who get in�on the ground floor, according to CNBC. According to�Forbes contributor Kenneth Rapoza, "Iran might become the United Arab Emirates on�steroids. New, futuristic towers in�cities friendly to�frolicking Westerners who kiss in�public and wear bikinis to�the beach."

"The competition for�Iran is amping up. Iran is a regional power both politically and economically. Iran is an important regional power both politically and economically. This country is connected by�many lines with�the entire region. Iran's influence of�varying intensity on�key processes in�the Middle East is indisputable," Sazhin told Sputnik.

While the country still faces hurdles in�the lifting of�sanctions, it has already offered to�sell state assets to�foreign investors, as�it expects to�rejoin the SWIFT electronic payments system.

European Investment

Iran aims to�attract $185 billion into�its industries by�2020, nearly twice as�much as�the capitalization of�its $100 billion stock market. Iran recently held talks with�Italy, Germany and France regarding investment and technology transfers.

"This is an incentive for�international diplomacy to�work with�Tehran after�the nuclear talks are complete. But international business received even more powerful incentives," Sazhin said.

Iran also wants private sector investment partnerships with�Europe for�the development of�industrial equipment and technology not only meant for�internal use, but�also exports. The plan could also improve Iran's regional standing as�a potential economic powerhouse.

Russian Partnership

As with�Europe, Iran seeks Russian technologies, in�addition to�its developing trade ties and current deals on�nuclear power plant construction. Russia and Iran remained important partners during�the nuclear talks and it is in�their mutual interest to�establish long-term ties not culpable to�external influence.

"Iran is interested in�utilizing Russian potential in�such field as�aviation, space, renewable energy, communications and so on," Iranian vice-president for�science and technology Sorna Sattari said last year.

Iran is also interested in�cooperation with�Russia on�medicine, biotechnologies, information technology, and other scientific and industrial fields. Cooperation on�oil and gas extraction as�well as�military cooperation are also expected to�play a major role in�Iran's relationship with�Russia.

Asian Connections

Asian countries, particularly India and Japan have also expressed interest in�working with�Iran. The head of�Iran's central bank Valliollah Seif recently conducted talks with�10 Japanese companies and 18 Japanese banks.

The talks involved shipments of�automobile parts to�Iran, as�well as�medical equipment and construction equipment for�building railways and power plants. Iran would in�turn provide Japan with�an additional source of�oil and gas, which Japan is also interested in�developing.

India meanwhile eyes investment in�Iran's infrastructure, including its transportation. India's neighbor Pakistan has also expressed interest, mainly in�the fields of�oil extraction and energy cooperation.

By Sputnik