NourNews: Iran’s recent diplomatic activity in its northern periphery reflects the persistence of a policy focused on interactive engagement with its 15 neighbors and on leveraging regional capacities for economic and political convergence. The president’s visit to Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan forms a new link within this same strategy, aligned with the high frequency of Iranian officials’ trips to neighboring states—from Araqchi’s visit to Baku to multi-layered consultations with Russia, Pakistan, Oman, and Turkey.
The president’s participation in Turkmenistan’s “Peace and Trust” summit also provides a platform for presenting Iran’s view of indigenous security and Tehran’s active role in shaping an order grounded in regional cooperation—an order that moves away from harmful competition and relies instead on shared levers such as transit, energy markets, and technological opportunities.
Economy and Transit: The Backbone of Regional Integration
Economy stands at the center of Iran’s neighborhood strategy. The USD 92.8 million trade agreement with Kazakhstan at the start of 2025 is only one example of the direction in which bilateral relations are moving—a path based on the export of technical and engineering services, domestic know-how, petrochemicals, and access to open waters. Kazakhstan is a major supplier of grains and minerals in Central Asia, while Iran provides a secure and fast route for exporting goods to global markets.
The creation of joint customs mechanisms, the facilitation of transport documentation, and the reduction of cargo clearance time are key issues to be discussed during the visit. Alongside a joint rail and logistics roadmap, these steps can significantly shorten the time it takes for goods to move from Central Asia to India and the Persian Gulf. In Turkmenistan as well, the USD 3-billion potential of bilateral economic ties can be fully realized through the completion of the Kazakhstan–Turkmenistan–Iran corridor and the development of Chabahar—yielding benefits for both sides.
Countering Extra-Regional Influence and the New Cold War
Central Asia and the Caucasus have long been targets of external power rivalries. The “Trump Corridor,” the security-economic penetration of the Israeli regime, the Abraham Accords, and NATO’s attempts at military presence are examples of interventions pursued through the language of division, ethnic tension, and security pressure. The continuation of such trends undermines regional security and makes integration costlier.
Relying on its defensive capabilities and principles of indigenous security, Iran has defined its response in the form of cooperation with neighbors and the removal of extra-regional intermediaries. The U.S. National Security Strategy, which also revealed Washington’s patronizing view toward Europe, once again demonstrated that reliance on Washington is unreliable. Hence, dialogue and the resolution of misunderstandings are not optional choices but urgent necessities for preserving stability.
The Turkmenistan Peace Summit: A Test of Shared Will
The “Peace and Trust” summit in Ashgabat may serve as a turning point in defining multi-layered and sustainable security in the region. With active participation and the presentation of initiatives in transportation, energy, border security, and economic dialogue, Tehran can steer the summit’s agenda toward regional solidarity in the face of extremism, terrorism, and externally imposed sanctions.
Pezeshkian’s visit is a continuation of the same results-oriented diplomacy that links economic cooperation with security and activates the potential to shape part of the emerging global order against unilateralism and hegemonic ambitions. In essence, this trip represents another step in consolidating Iran’s neighborhood policy—one that, if accompanied by consistent media engagement and executive follow-through, can redefine the region’s geopolitics.
NOURNEWS