Tajikistan and Iran have reportedly finalized the framework of a long-term settlement for the export of Iranian oil to energy-starved Tajikistan. The announcement comes a month after the 2 sides signed an settlement to ascertain a logistics hall by way of Afghanistan.
Russia provides an estimated 90 % of Tajikistan’s oil product imports. Given elevated Ukrainian assaults on Russian oil infrastructure, all of Central Asia is feeling the gas pinch. This comes additionally because the U.S. battle with Iran continues previous a 60-day deadline the 2 sides set for an settlement in June. Strain on international power markets abounds and Central Asian governments are scrambling to seek out various suppliers and routes. Tajikistan has turned to Iran, amongst others.
A high-level Tajik delegation led by Minister of Vitality and Water Daler Juma met along with his Iranian counterparts in Tehran on August 15. As reported by RFE/RL’s Tajik Service, Ozodi, Dushanbe says that the potential for importing Iranian oil merchandise to Tajikistan, together with diesel gas, jet gas, and crude oil, had been mentioned. Iran’s semi-official information outlet, Mehr Information Company, specified that the 2 sides had finalized a framework and agreed to arrange a working group, “to look at the technical and logistical particulars of the cooperation.”
The satan is at all times within the particulars.
What’s clear is the necessity on Tajikistan’s finish. In July, Juma advised Ozodi that Tajikistan had gas reserves that might final for round 60 days. In the meantime, costs throughout the nation have escalated and a few areas reported shortages of diesel gas, strains at gasoline stations, and rationing. Even earlier, a World Meals Program market replace on Tajikistan in June famous that whereas meals value rises had eased, gas prices continued to escalate. As of June, diesel costs had been 21.1 % above the five-year common and petrol costs had been 13.2 % above common.
“Your entire world is going through power challenges lately, particularly Tajikistan. We’re making an attempt to extend gas provides from Iran whereas concurrently addressing logistics points,” Juma stated within the wake of the current talks, based on AsiaPlus, a Tajik information outlet..
In mid-July, following a gathering within the Iranian metropolis of Mashhad, Tajikistan, Iran, and Afghanistan signed a transit settlement paving the best way for overland shipments of Iranian business cargo by way of Afghanistan to Tajikistan. A trial cargo was being deliberate for August.
Tajikistan and Iran traded items price $119.6 million within the first three months of 2026, based on Tajik authorities statistics, an 8 % improve in comparison with the identical interval final 12 months. Commerce between the 2 primarily transits the South Caucasus, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. A route by way of Afghanistan makes logistical sense, but it surely might not be safe sufficient to kind a sensible hyperlink within the quick time period.
Afghanistan’s Badakhshan Province, which borders Tajikistan, has turn into a rising web site of battle, significantly with the emergence of a brand new resistance group – Sipahiyan-i-Mihan – which managed to briefly seize a district seat final month.
