Tajik Minister, Iranian Envoy Discuss Security Cooperation

Tajikistan's Interior Minister Ramazon Rahimzoda and the Iranian ambassador to Tajikistan, Ali Reza Haqiqian have discussed regional developments and security issues.

At a meeting in Dushanbe on August 15, the Tajik interior minister pointed to the process of growing cooperation between the two countries, as well as the conditions and developments in the region and common challenges and threats, according to Pars Today.

Rahimzoda emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation between the interior ministries of Tajikistan and Iran, especially in the areas of combating terrorism and extremism, organized crime, drug trafficking and human trafficking.

In turn, the Iranian envoy said that the Iranian Interior Ministry was fully prepared to further develop cooperation with the Tajik counterpart.

During the meeting, the sides also discussed issues of strengthening cooperation in fighting against organized crime, ensuring security and other issues of interest.

The two officials had previously met in December 2023, and expressed their readiness to fight crime and strengthen security.

The commander-in-chief of Iran's police, Ahmad Reza Radan, said during his visit to Dushanbe on January 15 to meet the Tajik Interior Ministry officials, that Iran was ready to expand and strengthen law-enforcement and security cooperation with Tajikistan.

Radan referred to the fact that both countries face threats of "terrorism", saying the two countries had agreed to cooperate in combating terrorism, organized and cyber-crime, drug smuggling and money laundering, as well as in training personnel.

Tajikistan has significantly increased efforts to reignite its relationship with Iran, especially against the backdrop of emerging security challenges in the region. Some Tajik nationals were reportedly involved in terrorist attacks in Iran, and the participation of Tajiks in the 3 January suicide bombings in Iran's Kerman was confirmed.

In June 2022, a Joint Security Task Force meeting took place in Dushanbe, featuring representatives from the interior ministries of both nations. This collaborative security initiative aims to synchronize efforts against terrorism, organized crime, and drug trafficking, thereby addressing shared security challenges.

Iran and Tajikistan launched a drone factory in the Tajik capital Dushanbe to manufacture the Iranian Ababil-2 tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in May 2022.

In June 2021, the Iranian and Tajik interior ministers discussed "cooperation in security, fighting crime, terrorism and extremism," and also signed a memorandum on security cooperation.

Given the evolving situation in Afghanistan and the Taliban's resurgence, the two nations are increasingly working together to address these shared concerns, collaborating on strategies to counter the potential security threats emanating from the Taliban in the region.

Tajikistan has taken a resolute stance against the Taliban, driven by its historical experiences with religious militancy and ethnolinguistic ties to Afghan Tajiks, who are known to oppose the Taliban's rule. Tajikistan has reportedly provided refuge to prominent anti-Taliban Afghan leaders, openly criticized the Taliban government, and received warnings from the Taliban for its involvement in Afghan affairs.