Cooperation of Iran and Central Asian countries in the transport and logistics sector (from 1990 to 2022)

Abstract

The article analyzes the main interests of Iran in Central Asia. There are also considered content
and influence of energy, transport, and logistics factors on Iran’s strategy regarding cooperation between Tehran
and Central Asia. The authors pay special attention to projects in the field of energy and communications. The
article ends with the conclusion that the main areas of cooperation between Iran and the Central Asian region
are the formation of transport infrastructure according to the concept of the international transport corridor
«North-South», as well as the production and export of energy, gas, and oil. The Iranian side’s forecasts related
to the implementation of a number of large-scale transport and logistics projects raise the question of the need
to make adjustments to its policy. Little has been written or discussed the IRGC’s policy in Central Asia, and
it appears to have been less active in the region. The resumption and tightening of US sanctions have put
Iran’s economy in a difficult position. In such cases, significant difficulties arise in the implementation of large
infrastructure projects, both due to the lack of the necessary amount of funding and due to various geopolitical
conditions. In recent years, Iran’s strategy has remained very cautious and controversial. On the one hand,
Tehran is trying to strengthen the regional energy partnership, regardless of US interests and pressure. In this
regard, Iran is strengthening bilateral cooperation in the field of energy with the OAU countries. The lifting of
sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran in January 2016 opened a new stage of development.