Tajik Ambassador: Dushanbe Does Not Back Sanctions Against Iran
Ambassador Nizamuddin Zahedi says sanctions harm no one and are often used to push political agendas; highlights growing trade and a deep, shared civilizational bond between Iran and Tajikistan.
The Tajik ambassador to Iran says Dushanbe does not back sanctions on Iran, arguing they harm all and violate international norms. He highlights deep Iran-Tajikistan ties, rising trade, uninterrupted high-level dialogue, cultural links, and cooperation against shared threats, while noting Afghanistan-related cooperation and some political differences with Afghan authorities. Reported by IRNA.
IRNA reports from Tehran: Tajikistan's ambassador to Iran, Nizamuddin Zahedi, affirmed that Tajikistan does not support sanctions on Iran, arguing that sanctions benefit no one and many violate international law. He noted that in today’s world sanctions are frequently used as tools of political leverage, but Tajikistan does not back them. Speaking at a news briefing marking Tajikistan’s 35th independence anniversary, Zahedi outlined five pillars of the Iran–Tajikistan relationship: shared historical, linguistic, and cultural ties; sustained high-level political dialogue; mutual interest in expanding trade; cultural cooperation; and joint efforts to counter common threats such as terrorism, organized crime, and drug trafficking. He stressed that uninterrupted political dialogue over the past 35 years has helped elevate the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership. Zahedi cited that Emomali Rahmon has visited Iran 22 times in the past 30 years, while Iranian presidents have visited Tajikistan 16 times. On trade, he noted that bilateral commerce grew from about $55 million in 2020 to $450 million in 2025, with a target of $1 billion, a goal he believes is achievable given existing foundations. Cultural ties, he said, further underpin cooperation, and the two countries have held 18 joint commissions, the latest last month in Tajikistan. Zahedi also described a broad framework for cooperation with Afghanistan, including electricity exports to Afghanistan and cross-border markets, while acknowledging political differences with Afghanistan’s current authorities on some issues. “We do not support sanctions,” he said. The remarks were carried by IRNA.