The blue economy, as a novel approach to development, plays a significant role in economic growth, employment generation, income enhancement, and strengthening the territorial position of countries. Given Iran’s coastal capacities, marine resources, and geopolitical position, the development of the blue economy requires the identification of influential factors and an analysis of their interactions within the framework of spatial planning. This study aims to identify and analyze the key drivers of blue economy development along the southwestern coasts of Iran, with particular emphasis on Bushehr Province, and to examine their mutual influence and dependence. In terms of its objective, the study is applied and developmental, while in terms of its nature, it is descriptive-analytical, employing a futures studies approach and structural analysis. Data were collected through documentary and survey-based methods, using the Delphi technique. Cross-impact analysis was employed to identify the key drivers of the study. Accordingly, 11 indicators and 28 drivers were examined. MICMAC software was used to analyze the data and determine the degree of influence and dependence among the variables. The findings indicate that the development of the blue economy in Bushehr Province is a systemic and multidimensional process that requires synergy between economic infrastructure and institutional factors, including maritime governance, international diplomacy, and coordinated policymaking. The findings emphasize that the success of blue economy development depends less on natural capacities than on the quality of governance, political stability, investment security, and institutional coordination. Without institutional and managerial reforms, infrastructure-oriented measures alone will have limited effectiveness. Furthermore, strengthening the linkage between spatial planning, marine policies, and private-sector participation can provide the basis for the sustainable utilization of marine capacities and the achievement of balanced regional development.