Tajik ambassador: Dushanbe does not support sanctions on Iran
Ambassador says sanctions harm no one and many violate international law; Tehran-Dushanbe ties deepen with trade rising fivefold and high-level dialogue continuing
Tajikistan’s ambassador to Iran says sanctions against Iran are not beneficial and are often unlawful. He emphasizes a growing Iran–Tajikistan strategic partnership, rapid trade growth (from $55m in 2020 to $450m in 2025), and ongoing high-level dialogue. He also notes cultural ties and cooperation against shared security threats, plus Afghanistan-related trade links and policy differences.
Tehran, IRNA - Tajikistan’s ambassador to Iran, Nizamuddin Zahedi, said that his country opposes sanctions against Iran, arguing that “sanctions are not in the interest of any country and many sanctions violate international law.” He added that, unfortunately, sanctions are increasingly used as tools to solve political issues in today’s world, and Tajikistan does not support them.
Speaking at a press conference marking Tajikistan’s 35th independence anniversary, Zahedi outlined the long-standing relations between Tehran and Dushanbe, noting that over the past three decades both countries have sought to develop their ties and that a strategic partnership has taken shape. He highlighted shared historical, linguistic, and cultural values that bind the two peoples within a common civilizational sphere, fostering mutually beneficial cooperation.
Zahedi pointed to a sustained high-level political dialogue as a key driver of the partnership, noting that Imam Ali Rahman, Tajikistan’s president, has visited Iran 22 times in 30 years, while Iranian presidents have traveled to Tajikistan 16 times. He also stressed growing commercial links, saying bilateral trade rose from about $55 million in 2020 to approximately $450 million in 2025, and that both sides aim to reach $1 billion in trade, with the necessary conditions in place.
Cooperation in culture was described as the fourth pillar of the relationship, with Zahedi emphasizing shared culture, language, and history as foundations for further cultural collaboration. On security, he cited joint efforts to counter terrorism, organized crime, and drug trafficking, noting that 18 Iran–Tajikistan Joint Commission meetings have been held, with the latest in Dushanbe last month.
Regarding Afghanistan, Zahedi said Tajikistan does not shy away from economic and trade cooperation, including electricity exports and border markets, and uses Afghan territory as a transit route for cooperation with Iran, while noting differences with Afghanistan’s current rulers in political matters.