Tajik ambassador: Dushanbe does not back sanctions on Iran
Ambassador Nizamuddin Zahedi says sanctions harm all sides; cites ongoing high-level dialogue and expanding cooperation
Tajikistan’s ambassador to Iran, Nizamuddin Zahedi, said Tajikistan does not support sanctions on Iran, citing their harm and violations of international law. He highlighted deepening ties with Iran: ongoing high-level dialogue, rising trade (from about $55 million in 2020 to $450 million in 2025), cultural cooperation, and joint efforts to counter shared security threats, including 18 joint commission meetings. He also noted Afghanistan cooperation and differences with current Afghan authorities.
Tehran, IRNA - Tajikistan’s ambassador to Iran, Nizamuddin Zahedi, said at a news briefing marking the 35th anniversary of Tajikistan’s independence that his country does not support sanctions against Iran. He argued that sanctions benefit no one and that many violate international law, adding that in today’s world sanctions are often used as tools or levers to resolve political issues.
Zahedi outlined how Tehran and Dushanbe have developed their relationship over 35 years, noting that despite ups and downs, both countries have worked to strengthen bilateral ties and that today they enjoy a strategic partnership. He stressed that shared historical, linguistic and cultural ties bind Iran and Tajikistan within a common civilizational space, creating a fertile ground for mutually beneficial cooperation.
He highlighted the importance of ongoing high-level political dialogue, saying that over the past three decades Tajikistan’s president Emomali Rahmon has visited Iran 22 times and Iranian presidents have visited Tajikistan 16 times. The ambassador also cited growing commercial interest, saying bilateral trade has risen steadily from about $55 million in 2020 to $450 million in 2025, with a target of reaching $1 billion and the necessary conditions in place to achieve it.
Zahedi identified cultural cooperation as the fourth pillar of the relationship, stressing shared culture, language and history. He added that expanding cultural ties serves the national interests of both countries.
On security and regional issues, Zahedi said Tehran and Dushanbe work together to counter terrorism, organized crime and drug trafficking, a collaboration that has helped move their ties into a strategic partnership. He noted that 18 meetings of the joint commission between Iran and Tajikistan have been held in Tehran and Dushanbe, with the latest session held last month in Dushanbe, resulting in concrete decisions for expansion of cooperation.
Regarding sanctions, he reaffirmed: “We do not support sanctions.” He explained that sanctions do not benefit any party and often contravene international law, though they are sometimes used as political tools in today’s world.
Zahedi also spoke about Afghanistan, saying Tajikistan maintains economic and commercial ties and uses Afghan territory as a transit route for cooperation with Iran, including electricity exports to Afghanistan and cross-border markets, while noting that political differences with current Afghan authorities are not hidden.