The visit underscored Tehran’s focus on a free trade agreement, its observer membership in the bloc and closer ties with regional countries, signaling a new strategy linking the economy, politics and regional security.
Iran became an observer member of the EAEU in 2024 after years of negotiations and cooperation with the grouping. Aref’s trip to Kyrgyzstan and his presence at the prime ministers’ summit was the first major test for the new government to put that membership into practice.
Implementation of the free trade agreement, which places 87% of Iranian export goods on a zero-tariff list, has opened fresh opportunities to expand exports and boost Iran’s share of the EAEU’s $800 billion market.
Officials in Tehran say the move not only diversifies export markets but also helps shield Iran from the impact of Western unilateral sanctions. Aref’s bilateral meetings with senior officials from Russia and Kyrgyzstan highlighted how the administration is linking economic diplomacy with political and security considerations.
Talks included easing travel for business people, lifting visa requirements, establishing direct flights and activating a joint cooperation commission between Iran and Kyrgyzstan – steps aimed at removing barriers to economic cooperation. The Iranian vice president also raised security issues, including Israel’s attack on Iran, which was condemned within the bloc, underlining Tehran’s pursuit of political and security synergy alongside economic cooperation with EAEU members.
In his speech to the summit, Aref referred to what he called Israeli “crimes” and the Security Council’s inaction, stressing the need for regional solidarity. Iran maintains that organizations such as the EAEU and the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) can build joint mechanisms to shield regional economies from Western pressure and challenges.
Tehran views its participation in the EAEU as an opportunity to strengthen both economic and political integration across Central Asia, the Caucasus and Russia, potentially shaping a new regional order.
A key theme of Aref’s trip was the North-South transport corridor, a project that could transform trade across Eurasia. Landlocked Kyrgyzstan lacks direct access to open waters, and cooperation with Iran on the corridor could be a game changer for regional commerce. Aref also proposed expanding cooperation in energy, new technologies, and road and rail links – measures that would position Iran as a strategic hub in Eurasia’s economic network.
Iranian officials say that if these projects are implemented, the country stands to increase its economic gains while also boosting its geopolitical standing in the region.
NOURNEWS