Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visited Tajikistan to improve relations that have been tense since the 1990s civil war. Emphasizing cultural ties, he expressed a feeling of belonging in Tajikistan. His trip highlights Iran’s strategy to assert its influence in Central Asia, with planned discussions on broader cooperation in multiple sectors. Pezeshkian’s visit precedes agreements with Russia, amplifying geopolitical dynamics in the region.
On Thursday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian began his visit to Tajikistan, aimed at strengthening ties between the two nations following a prolonged period of strained relations. Despite shared linguistic and cultural connections, the relationship soured after the Tajik civil war in the 1990s. Speaking to the media, Pezeshkian expressed a sense of belonging, stating, “I feel like I’m in Iran. I don’t feel like that anywhere else in the world,” which reflects the hopeful prospect of improved diplomatic relations.
The Iranian administration considers an enhanced presence in Central Asia a strategic objective, particularly as Russia and China maintain significant influence in the region. Other nations, including Turkey and Western powers, are also interested in expanding their reach, particularly in light of recent geopolitical developments, such as Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The five Central Asian republics, including Tajikistan, were once part of the Soviet Union until its dissolution in 1991.
Pezeshkian highlighted potential areas for collaboration, such as education, science, culture, politics, and security, during his discussions in Dushanbe. Following his Tajik visit, he is scheduled to travel to Moscow to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership with Russian President Vladimir Putin, an alliance that has raised concerns among Western observers. The Tajik presidency remarked that Pezeshkian’s visit would “open new pages in the history of ties between these countries, which are linguistically and culturally close.”
Despite geographical separation by Afghanistan, Iran and Tajikistan share a Persian linguistic heritage, yet their relationship has been fraught with difficulties. Dushanbe has historically accused Tehran of showing favoritism towards Islamist factions during the 1990s civil conflict and maintaining connections with banned Islamist parties in Tajikistan, a secular Muslim state wary of extremist influences. Efforts to repair diplomatic relations were initiated under the leadership of former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi prior to his untimely death in May 2024, and these initiatives continue under President Pezeshkian.
The article discusses the diplomatic visit of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Tajikistan, aiming to forge closer ties following decades of strained relations. The historical context includes the aftermath of the Tajik civil war in the 1990s, during which Iran was accused of supporting factions opposed to the Tajik government. This visit highlights the geopolitical dynamics of Central Asia, a region where influence from nations such as Russia and China competes with efforts from Turkey and Western countries amid shifting international alliances.
President Pezeshkian’s visit to Tajikistan symbolizes an important step towards rekindling a relationship that had grown cold since the 1990s. By emphasizing collaboration in various sectors and addressing historical grievances, both nations aim to strengthen their ties amidst a complex geopolitical landscape. Furthermore, this visit is indicative of Iran’s strategic intentions in Central Asia and its desire to expand its influence in the region, particularly in the context of rising tensions caused by global events.
Original Source: www.barrons.com
