Iran, Tajikistan Partnership Deepens with Multiple Bilateral Agreements

Senior officials from Iran and Tajikistan have signed 22 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and issued a joint statement on bilateral cooperation during Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s official visit to Dushanbe.

The agreements, signed on January 16, aim to enhance collaboration across political, economic, cultural, educational, transport, customs, and trade sectors. They also cover diverse areas such as diplomacy, anti-corruption efforts, food security, and digital technology, according to the state news agency IRNA.

President Pezeshkian and his Tajik counterpart, Emomali Rahmon, presided over the signing ceremony and jointly signed a statement on mutual cooperation. Earlier, the two leaders held private discussions on topics of shared interest, including regional and international developments.

At a joint press conference the same day, Pezeshkian described Tajikistan as one of Iran's strategic partners in the region, emphasizing the deep neighborly relations between the two countries. He stated, “today, 23 agreements were signed by officials of the two countries in various fields, including health, livestock, customs services, police cooperation, electronic systems, artistic collaborations, information technology, visa extensions, and various other agreements.”

He further highlighted the commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships, particularly in economics and trade. He noted that both sides stressed the importance of streamlining procedures at entry and exit points, removing customs barriers, and fostering a secure environment for private sector activity.

President Rahmon underscored the discussions on enhancing cooperation in mining, pharmaceuticals, industry, transportation, and agriculture.

“Also, capacities provided by the Iranian port cities of Chabahar and Bandar Abbas to expand cooperation in the transport sector were discussed,” Rahmon stated.

The two leaders noted that 160 Iranian-funded companies currently operate in Tajikistan, and the volume of transported goods and services in 2024 had increased 3.2-fold compared to two years prior.

Iran seeks to expand its energy and economic ties within the broader Eurasian region to solidify its presence in Central Asia. Meanwhile, Tajikistan plans to propose several promising investment projects to Iran in mining, agriculture, and IT. Rahmon recently ordered the declassification of information regarding the Ikar gold and tungsten deposit in the Mountainous Badakhshan Autonomous Region and declared 2025–2030 as the "Years of Digital Economy and Innovation Development."

Relations between Iran and Tajikistan cooled in late 2015 and remained strained for several years, following accusations by Tajikistan that Iran supported the banned Islamic Rebirth Party of Tajikistan (IRPT). Tehran, in turn, accused Dushanbe of withholding millions of dollars from arrested Iranian businessman Babak Zanjani. However, since 2019, relations have improved, culminating in the lifting of visa requirements and the introduction of 30-day visa-free travel for citizens of both countries in 2024.

Pezeshkian, leading a high-ranking delegation, arrived in Tajikistan on January 15 and is scheduled to depart for Russia on January 17. Before leaving Tehran, he announced plans to sign a strategic comprehensive agreement with Russia in Moscow. This agreement will cover scientific, economic, agricultural, industrial, cultural, and security matters.

“If we continue this trend and boost our cooperation in scientific, technical, industrial, transportation, and energy fields, this region will be able to address its challenges. As a result, the pressures from America and other countries attempting to influence this region will be automatically neutralized,” Pezeshkian said.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, referring to Pezeshkian’s upcoming Moscow visit, stated that the agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin on January 17 is “not directed against” any third parties. He clarified that the two countries are “updating” their 2001 treaty, emphasizing that the revised document does not include a “military coalition.”

Araghchi also noted that Iran-Russia economic ties have grown stronger under Western sanctions, mentioning ongoing talks with Moscow about exporting Russian natural gas via Iran.