IRNA � Iran wants to change Chabahar Port City in southern country, with its entire coastline of 1000 kilometers, into a developed hub of oil refineries, petrochemicals, steel factories, and other projects, The Iranian ambassador told an Indian daily.

'There is now a real interest from Central Asia, countries like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan are all contacting us despite all the restrictions, and India is continuing to develop it,' Ali Chegini told Hindu Newspaper on Sunday.

Saying that Iran wants to promote Chabahar as a hub where big ships can enter, offload to smaller ships that can go easily to other ports, he added, 'We will be able to build the easiest way for India and Afghanistan to trade here and also will connect Chabahar to Turkmenistan. From Zahedan, we have a railroad through Turkey to Europe, and Central Asia through Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as to the Mediterranean via Iraq and Syria. Once the railroad from Chabahar connects to Zahedan, many more opportunities will open up.'

During Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's visit to India, an agreement was signed between Tehran and New Delhi railways companies, according to which 500 kilometers of railroad is to be made from Chabahar to Zahedan with an investment of $1.6 dollars.