Uzbekistan Seeks Lower Transit Tariffs for Trucks Crossing Iran

TEHRAN — Uzbekistan is calling for lower transit tariffs for its trucks crossing Iran, arguing that the cost of using Iranian routes has contributed to an imbalance in the movement of freight between the two countries.

Fereydoun Nasriov, Uzbekistan’s ambassador to Tehran, said the number of Uzbek transit trucks traveling through Iran last year was lower than the number of Iranian trucks crossing Uzbekistan. He attributed the difference to what he described as high Iranian tariffs and asked that the charges be reduced.

Nasriov made the remarks during a meeting with Samad Hassanzadeh, president of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture. The meeting, as reported by Iran’s official news agency from the Iran Chamber of Commerce, covered transport cooperation, trade expansion and ways to address obstacles affecting bilateral economic relations.

The request comes as Iran and Uzbekistan pursue a target of raising bilateral trade to $2 billion. Nasriov said achieving that goal would require planning and practical measures to support business activity between the two countries.

### Transport costs at the center of trade discussions

The Uzbek ambassador said the two sides had already discussed cooperation and transport facilities. He also expressed interest in having access to facilities in Bandar Abbas, a proposal that he said was accompanied by some misunderstandings between the two countries that should be resolved.

For Iran, the issue is not limited to Uzbek trucks using Iranian territory. Hassanzadeh emphasized the importance of facilitating and accelerating the transit of Iranian goods through Uzbekistan. He called on Uzbekistan to help ease road transportation and speed up the movement of Iranian cargo through its territory.

Hassanzadeh linked the request to difficulties created by what the report described as the “12- and 40-day war” and the maritime blockade of Iran. The report does not provide further details about these references. It also states that the two countries have a memorandum aimed at strengthening comprehensive cooperation through 2027 and increasing trade to $2 billion.

A faster and more predictable transit system could support that objective, but the meeting’s reported outcomes do not indicate that the two sides reached a final agreement on tariff reductions or other transport measures. The Uzbek side’s request was presented as a proposal, while the broader discussions focused on identifying areas for cooperation.

### Calls for easier travel by businesspeople

Visa access was another major issue raised at the meeting. Hassanzadeh said Uzbekistan had made the abolition of visas and the facilitation of travel a serious request, particularly for Iranian businesspeople.

He noted that Iran had unilaterally canceled visa requirements for Uzbek citizens and expressed hope that Uzbekistan would implement a similar arrangement. According to Hassanzadeh, reciprocal or easier access would allow Iranian economic operators to travel to Uzbekistan more easily and strengthen direct business contacts.

He also referred to discussions at the 17th joint Iran-Uzbekistan meeting and business forum, where the facilitation of visas for Iranian businesspeople was emphasized. Nasriov, meanwhile, highlighted the importance of holding a business forum in Iran to help economic actors from both countries become more familiar with one another’s opportunities.

### Potential cooperation in energy, engineering and manufacturing

The talks extended beyond transit and travel. Nasriov said Uzbekistan was ready to purchase oil and its derivatives from Iran. He also discussed the possibility of exporting fiber, cotton yarn and fabric to Iran.

He pointed to Uzbekistan’s textile sector, saying that a number of major international brands have established factories there and operate extensively in the industry. In agriculture, he argued that Iran and Uzbekistan should not necessarily be viewed as competitors. Because of differences in harvest seasons, he said, the two countries could complement each other in vegetables, fruit and other produce.

Hassanzadeh outlined several areas in which Iranian companies are prepared to expand cooperation. These included technical and engineering services, mining, agricultural machinery, construction materials, power-generation equipment, renewable-energy infrastructure and petrochemical products.

He also proposed the construction of textile and steel factories, as well as greenhouse projects, through joint investment. A joint investment fund had previously been agreed upon in principle, he said, and Iranian businesses were ready to work with Uzbekistan on establishing it.

The Iran Chamber president added that economic operators from the two countries were negotiating 29 joint projects in technical and engineering services, water and wastewater. He called for cooperation in creating the proposed investment fund to support such projects.

### Greenhouses and agricultural technology

Hossein Pir-Moazen, deputy president of the Iran Chamber, highlighted agriculture as another potential area for joint work. He referred to previous agreements on greenhouse construction and extraterritorial farming.

Pir-Moazen said both countries had made progress in producing seeds and hydroponic greenhouse equipment. Because each country produces certain types of seeds, he said, there could be opportunities to exchange seeds, fertilizers and the equipment required for greenhouse production.

The discussions therefore combine an immediate concern—reducing the cost and improving the efficiency of cross-border trucking—with a broader effort to expand commercial ties. Lower transit charges, faster road freight, easier visa procedures and joint investment could all contribute to the stated $2 billion trade ambition. However, the report records requests and areas of discussion rather than confirmed agreements on the tariff issue, visa reciprocity or the proposed investment projects.