Dushanbe — In a renewed display of regional alignment, Iran and Tajikistan reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening diplomatic and economic relations during Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani’s visit to Dushanbe, where he met with President Emomali Rahmon at the Palace of the Nation.
The meeting, which underscored a mutual desire to build on longstanding cultural and linguistic ties, also marked a continuation of Tehran’s strategic eastward diplomatic pivot. Bagheri Kani delivered official messages of goodwill from Iran’s Supreme Leader and newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian, emphasizing the Islamic Republic’s interest in expanding bilateral relations across trade, tourism, education, and infrastructure.
President Rahmon, in response, welcomed Iran’s outreach, noting the historical and linguistic affinities between the two Persian-speaking nations. Both sides reportedly agreed to elevate cooperation not only at the government-to-government level but also by enhancing connectivity between academic institutions, cultural organizations, and business communities.
This visit comes at a time when Iran is reasserting its influence across Central Asia, aiming to secure stronger partnerships with immediate neighbors in the face of sustained Western hostility. As Western sanctions continue to hamper Iran’s international trade with Europe and the US, Tehran’s engagement with regional allies like Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and China has grown significantly.
The Iranian Foreign Minister stressed that closer ties with Dushanbe could serve as a “model of regional collaboration based on shared identity and mutual respect,” hinting at broader aspirations for Central Asia to serve as a counterbalance to foreign interventions and hegemonic narratives.
The two sides agreed to implement previously signed agreements more rigorously, while also proposing new initiatives in energy cooperation, youth exchange programs, and multilateral diplomacy within regional organizations like ECO and SCO. Bagheri Kani also extended invitations for further high-level visits to Tehran, signaling Iran’s intent to institutionalize this partnership over the coming years.
In his remarks, Rahmon emphasized the need for stability and regional cohesion, subtly referencing security dynamics in neighboring Afghanistan. Tajikistan, which shares cultural ties with Afghanistan’s northern regions, sees in Iran a valuable partner in stabilizing the region without Western interference.
According to Mehr News Agency, “Both parties agreed to develop bilateral cooperation in various fields, especially in trade and the economy, transport and transit, energy, education, science, and culture” during the high-profile talks in Dushanbe.
According to IFP News, Iran’s Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani met with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in Dushanbe and stressed the importance of elevating bilateral ties across political, economic, and cultural sectors. Bagheri Kani conveyed official greetings from Iran’s Supreme Leader and President Masoud Pezeshkian, emphasizing the nations’ shared linguistic and civilizational heritage as a foundation for deeper cooperation. He underscored that strengthening relations with Tajikistan remains a strategic priority for Tehran, particularly in the current geopolitical climate, and called for swift implementation of existing agreements while exploring new areas of collaboration in trade, transportation, energy, education, and regional diplomacy.
