Fostering Strategic Infrastructure Projects
Reza Shah’s ambitious infrastructure projects were central to his modernization efforts. One of his most significant achievements was the construction of a 1392 km-long railway line connecting the Persian Gulf with the Caspian Sea. This north-south railway was built using foreign technicians from countries with no historical interest in Iran, such as Germany, Scandinavia, and the United States. Importantly, the project was completed without relying on foreign loans, demonstrating Reza Shah’s commitment to maintaining financial independence.
However, this railway project was not without controversy. Critics, including Makki Hossein, argued that the north-south railway primarily served British strategic interests, enabling the transfer of British troops from the south of Iran to Russia. They contended that an east-west railway system would have been more economically beneficial for Iran. Despite these criticisms, the north-south transit route has proven to be economically vital in the decades that followed, underscoring the long-term importance of this infrastructure project.