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The Ashgabat Summit and Iran’s Regional Diplomacy

Dr. Mohammad Taheri

Recent regional developments and continued US economic pressure have once again highlighted the importance of Iran’s regional diplomacy. President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to Turkmenistan and his attendance at the summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) offered a chance to assess Iran’s position in its neighbourhood, where economic ties are now directly bound up with security and geopolitics.

Iran’s president attended as a special guest and held bilateral and multilateral meetings with countries that matter in Eurasia for their energy resources, transit routes and geography. The real question is not simply expanding political relations, but turning them into cooperation that reduces Iran’s economic vulnerability and opens new opportunities for trade and investment.

Meeting Putin and keeping dialogue alive

Pezeshkian’s meeting with Vladimir Putin was among the most significant moments of the trip. Putin’s readiness to help end the conflict involving Iran, and Pezeshkian’s insistence on continuing negotiations despite criticising US attacks, showed that a diplomatic solution remains on the agenda.

Moscow’s position does not guarantee an agreement on its own, but it is relevant when weighing the mediation capacity of regional powers. For Iran, keeping dialogue open while strengthening economic ties matters, because continued insecurity and rising tension make long-term investment and cooperation harder.

Tehran–Moscow relations beyond security

Relations between Tehran and Moscow should not be viewed only through a security lens. The two countries share interests in transport, trade, energy and infrastructure, but realising them requires moving beyond political understandings to reliable implementation and financial mechanisms. Such ties can ease economic pressure on Iran only if pursued as part of diversifying trading partners and preserving the country’s independent decision-making.

The “CIS+1” proposal

Pezeshkian’s proposal for a cooperation mechanism between Iran and the CIS in a “CIS+1” format deserves attention. If accepted and followed through, it could provide a platform for regular dialogue on trade, transit, energy and investment.

Closer ties with Central Asia, the Caucasus and Russia can open new markets and make better use of complementary economic strengths. Turkmenistan, as one of Iran’s gateways to Central Asia, is particularly important for transport and energy exchanges. These partnerships cannot fully replace ties with the global economy, but they can soften some of the effects of external restrictions.

The North–South Corridor: from geographic to economic advantage

Activating the International North–South Transport Corridor is one of the most important ways to achieve this. Iran’s location can link Russia, the Caspian states and Central Asia to the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and open waters. Completing rail and road infrastructure, developing southern ports and simplifying customs procedures could strengthen Iran’s role in north–south trade. The benefits go beyond transit revenue to include investment, logistics activity and development along the route.

The trilateral meeting of the presidents of Iran, Russia and Azerbaijan, held at this level after years of interruption, mattered for the same reason. Putting the corridor at the centre of the talks underlined the need for political coordination on a project whose economic gains depend on all parties. Still, geography becomes an economic advantage only once the infrastructure is complete and traders can rely on stable regulations, secure routes and cost-effective transport.

Energy cooperation and Iran’s role in swaps

Central Asia and the Caspian region hold significant oil and gas reserves. Thanks to its location and existing transmission networks, Iran can play a larger role in energy exchanges and swaps. Moving and swapping oil and gas between northern producers and southern markets, if the economic and technical terms are agreed, would benefit all participants. Cooperation on electricity and energy transmission infrastructure could further strengthen regional economic ties.

The Caspian: economic opportunity and environmental responsibility

The Caspian Sea’s economic potential must not overshadow the need to protect it. Falling water levels, industrial and oil pollution, habitat loss and threats to aquatic resources endanger the economic and environmental future of the littoral states.

The Caspian environmental meeting in Turkmenistan and Iran’s proposal for a long-term programme under the Tehran Convention stressed shared responsibility for these threats. Protecting the Caspian is not only an environmental necessity but also a condition for sustainable economic activity, human security and the preservation of the region’s natural resources for future generations.

Linking political decisions with economic planning

To achieve lasting results, Iran’s regional diplomacy needs an effective link between political decision-making and economic planning. Closer ties with neighbours, completed transit routes, wider energy exchanges and protection of shared resources can offset part of US economic pressure only if they come with investment, private-sector participation and steady follow-up on agreements.

Iran’s geopolitical position is a valuable opportunity, but using it depends on coherent policymaking and balanced cooperation. The credibility and effectiveness of regional diplomacy should be measured not by the number of meetings and joint statements, but by growth in trade, rising investment and tangible economic gains for the country.

Source (Persian): Ettelaat newspaper

Dr. Mohammad Taheri, President of the Iran–Spain Joint Chamber of Commerce