• Home
  • Politics
  • Health
  • World
  • Business
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • More
    • Sports
    • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
What's Hot

EXCLUSIVE: ‘The Man She Is Today’: European Companies Accused Of ‘Importing’ Woke Ideology

May 29, 2025

‘The Economy Is On Fire!’: Kevin O’Leary Drops Fact Check On CNN Panelists Railing Against Trump’s Economy

May 29, 2025

DeSantis Signs Bill Making Gold And Silver Legal Tender

May 28, 2025
Facebook Twitter Instagram
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
Saturday, May 31
Patriot Now NewsPatriot Now News
  • Home
  • Politics

    Security video shows brazen sexual assault of California woman by homeless man

    October 24, 2023

    Woman makes disturbing discovery after her boyfriend chases away home intruder who stabbed him

    October 24, 2023

    Poll finds Americans overwhelmingly support Israel’s war on Hamas, but younger Americans defend Hamas

    October 24, 2023

    Off-duty pilot charged with 83 counts of attempted murder after allegedly trying to shut off engines midflight on Alaska Airlines

    October 23, 2023

    Leaked audio of Shelia Jackson Lee abusively cursing staffer

    October 22, 2023
  • Health

    Disparities In Cataract Care Are A Sorry Sight

    October 16, 2023

    Vaccine Stocks—Including Pfizer, Moderna, BioNTech And Novavax—Slide Amid Plummeting Demand

    October 16, 2023

    Long-term steroid use should be a last resort

    October 16, 2023

    Rite Aid Files For Bankruptcy With More ‘Underperforming Stores’ To Close

    October 16, 2023

    Who’s Still Dying From Complications Related To Covid-19?

    October 16, 2023
  • World

    New York Democrat Dan Goldman Accuses ‘Conservatives in the South’ of Holding Rallies with ‘Swastikas’

    October 13, 2023

    IDF Ret. Major General Describes Rushing to Save Son, Granddaughter During Hamas Invasion

    October 13, 2023

    Black Lives Matter Group Deletes Tweet Showing Support for Hamas 

    October 13, 2023

    AOC Denounces NYC Rally Cheering Hamas Terrorism: ‘Unacceptable’

    October 13, 2023

    L.A. Prosecutors Call Out Soros-Backed Gascón for Silence on Israel

    October 13, 2023
  • Business

    EXCLUSIVE: ‘The Man She Is Today’: European Companies Accused Of ‘Importing’ Woke Ideology

    May 29, 2025

    ‘The Economy Is On Fire!’: Kevin O’Leary Drops Fact Check On CNN Panelists Railing Against Trump’s Economy

    May 29, 2025

    DeSantis Signs Bill Making Gold And Silver Legal Tender

    May 28, 2025

    John Deere Announces $20 Billion Plan To Build Up American Manufacturing

    May 28, 2025

    EV Startup Promised To Cut China Ties — Then Reportedly Shared US Data Anyway

    May 27, 2025
  • Finance

    Ending China’s De Minimis Exception Brings 3 Benefits for Americans

    April 17, 2025

    The Trump Tariff Shock Should Push Indonesia to Reform Its Economy

    April 17, 2025

    Tariff Talks an Opportunity to Reinvigorate the Japan-US Alliance

    April 17, 2025

    How China’s Companies Are Responding to the US Trade War

    April 16, 2025

    The US Flip-flop Over H20 Chip Restrictions 

    April 16, 2025
  • Tech

    Cruz Confronts Zuckerberg on Pointless Warning for Child Porn Searches

    February 2, 2024

    FTX Abandons Plans to Relaunch Crypto Exchange, Commits to Full Repayment of Customers and Creditors

    February 2, 2024

    Elon Musk Proposes Tesla Reincorporates in Texas After Delaware Judge Voids Pay Package

    February 2, 2024

    Tesla’s Elon Musk Tops Disney’s Bob Iger as Most Overrated Chief Executive

    February 2, 2024

    Mark Zuckerberg’s Wealth Grew $84 Billion in 2023 as Pedophiles Target Children on Facebook, Instagram

    February 2, 2024
  • More
    • Sports
    • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
Patriot Now NewsPatriot Now News
Home»Finance»Could Iran be a Gateway for Central Asia?
Finance

Could Iran be a Gateway for Central Asia?

June 9, 2024No Comments5 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Could Iran be a Gateway for Central Asia?
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project may finally get underway, according to Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov. At the 8th annual Trans-Caspian Forum, organized by the Caspian Policy Center on May 21, Kyrgyz Ambassador to the U.S. Bakyt Amanbaev added that the project will connect with Pakistan to reach the Arabian Sea and “holds special significance for all of us [because it will have] enormous economic and social importance for the entire region.”

While Amanbaev mentioned Pakistan, Iran has been discussed as a potential point for sea access as well. Kyrgyz officials visited Iran’s port of Bander Abbas in 2021, prompting speculation that Bishkek wanted to reach the ocean by linking to it. In 2023, Kyrgyz Railway Company Deputy Director Dastan Usubakunov also noted, “We will get access to the Persian Gulf and Pacific Ocean [via] Bandar Abbas Port.”

At a recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting, Iran’s ambassador to Tajikistan said that Iran can be Central Asia’s gateway to international markets. Ambassador Alireza Haghighian noted that given its location, Iran can help Central Asia obtain access to the Persian Gulf and, from there, to the broader world.

The statement is not new; Tehran has previously discussed increasing transportation infrastructure connectivity with Central Asian countries. For example, Tehran proposed linking to the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway in 2022 and addressed the possibility of a transit corridor with Tashkent and Ashgabat in October 2023.

While Iran has generally close relations with Tajikistan, Tehran is also keen to approach other Central Asian states, particularly Kyrgyzstan. In 2023, Iranian imports of non-oil products from Kyrgyzstan increased. News reports have mentioned Bishkek’s interest in improving its connections with Iran.

See also  EXCLUSIVE: Lara Trump's 'Never Back Down' Cover Now Available for Pre-Download, Newsweek Attacks Lara Calling Song a "Cheap Move" - Listen to Snippet of FINAL SONG HERE! | The Gateway Pundit

As I have previously discussed for The Diplomat, the CKU railway project will bring Kyrgyzstan further into China’s orbit, with debt and growing dependency on Beijing significant concerns. Given Kyrgyzstan’s already damaged international image due to the repressive actions of Japarov’s government, a Bishkek-Tehran partnership may entail negative consequences for Kyrgyzstan.

Iran is likely also trying to promote connectivity projects to improve relations with Uzbekistan, as “despite the solid groundwork for integration, Uzbek-Iranian relations still have a distinct smell of confrontation,” argued Dr. Vladimir Mesamed from Hebrew University. In a February meeting between the two governments in Tashkent, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri proclaimed that “the depth of the long-standing relations between the two countries was formed in a popular context, and for this reason, it cannot be broken.” Bilateral trade reached around $500 million in 2023.

Central Asian governments should be wary of Iran’s offer to act as a gateway for Central Asia. A self-evident reason is that Iran continues to be regarded as a pariah state and malign actor by the United States, Europe, and several other governments. The recent drone attacks against Israel and the incidents involving the Iranian Navy seizing oil tankers have further exacerbated tensions with Washington. Thus, the image of Central Asian governments would be tarnished by increasing connectivity with Iran.

This warning is particularly relevant for Kyrgyzstan, as U.S. Senator Bob Menendez has already warned the Kyrgyz leadership about helping Russia avoid sanctions, and Kyrgyz-based companies have been sanctioned for their links with Russia. It is hypothetically possible that the West could threaten Bishkek with sanctions if, besides links with Moscow, they also increase ties with Tehran.

See also  These 2 ‘Strong Buy’ Stocks Are Too Cheap to Ignore

Tehran’s interest in linking to the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan corridor must be put into the bigger geopolitical context. With a limited number of regional allies (including Syria, another international pariah), Iran seeks partners and allies elsewhere, such as Central Asia. The country achieved a victory in 2023 when it became a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Membership in the SCO will facilitate the training of Iranian military personnel with Central Asian armed forces in the future. Gaining alliances in Central Asia would help Iran avoid international isolation and legitimize itself globally. 

Much has been written about Iran’s strategy toward Central Asia, with some analysts arguing that as Russia is focused on Ukraine, “Iran is moving to fill a gap left by Russia [and] the Russian invasion also is forcing Central Asian states into an economic reckoning.” Certainly, history and geography play a role, and Iran has cultural and historical ties with Central Asia. Still, Tehran has limited offerings for Central Asia; Tehran cannot match the Russian market vis-a-vis Central Asia dollar to dollar.

The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project is not new; over the years, there have been multiple false starts. Hence, it remains to be seen if Japarov’s optimism that the project will soon get underway is well-placed. Of the three countries involved in the project, Bishkek appears to be the most eager to start it (during the Trans-Caspian Policy Forum, the Kyrgyz ambassador was the only diplomat who mentioned the railway project in his remarks). This situation is unsurprising as, given its geographic location, Kyrgyzstan relies heavily on new transport corridors to access the wider world.

See also  Abandon Ship!! Another DeSantis Super PAC Denounces the Florida Governor's Presidential Bid | The Gateway Pundit

However, the railway project will be expensive. It will rely heavily on Chinese investment and Bishkek’s ability to procure financial assistance from other sources, including, perhaps, international credit institutions. Given the country’s economic situation and deteriorating international image, obtaining international financial aid may be difficult.

As an already expensive and complex international railway corridor may finally begin construction, Central Asian governments (particularly Kyrgyzstan) should not forget the importance of geopolitics and the current state of global disorder. Connecting with Iran may be tempting, but increased relations with Tehran may ultimately be counterproductive.

Asia central Gateway Iran
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Related Posts

Ending China’s De Minimis Exception Brings 3 Benefits for Americans

April 17, 2025

The Trump Tariff Shock Should Push Indonesia to Reform Its Economy

April 17, 2025

Tariff Talks an Opportunity to Reinvigorate the Japan-US Alliance

April 17, 2025

How China’s Companies Are Responding to the US Trade War

April 16, 2025
Add A Comment

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Top Posts

While Standing Beside Trump, Matt Gaetz Admits That Violence In DC Is The Plan

August 13, 2023

US exchanges to bust erroneous CDW Corp trades after shares briefly dive 96%

May 20, 2023

Dave Portnoy Calls PGA Tour’s Jay Monahan ‘Scumbag’ After LIV Merger

June 8, 2023

How to Start Your Day Relaxed

March 9, 2023
Don't Miss

EXCLUSIVE: ‘The Man She Is Today’: European Companies Accused Of ‘Importing’ Woke Ideology

Business May 29, 2025

Consumers’ Research issued a “Woke Alert” on Thursday warning American shoppers that three European companies…

‘The Economy Is On Fire!’: Kevin O’Leary Drops Fact Check On CNN Panelists Railing Against Trump’s Economy

May 29, 2025

DeSantis Signs Bill Making Gold And Silver Legal Tender

May 28, 2025

John Deere Announces $20 Billion Plan To Build Up American Manufacturing

May 28, 2025
About
About

This is your World, Tech, Health, Entertainment and Sports website. We provide the latest breaking news straight from the News industry.

We're social. Connect with us:

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
Categories
  • Business (4,136)
  • Entertainment (4,220)
  • Finance (3,202)
  • Health (1,938)
  • Lifestyle (1,645)
  • Politics (3,084)
  • Sports (4,036)
  • Tech (2,006)
  • Uncategorized (4)
  • World (3,944)
Our Picks

Actress Lauren Miller Rogen Monitored ‘Small’ Brain Aneurysm for Years. It Began Growing in 2022

October 15, 2023

Jennifer Aniston says she is ‘so over’ cancel culture: ‘Is there no redemption?’

August 22, 2023

Kid Rock Concertgoers Vow to Drink ‘Anything But Bud Light’ as Sales Continue to Plummet

July 5, 2023
Popular Posts

EXCLUSIVE: ‘The Man She Is Today’: European Companies Accused Of ‘Importing’ Woke Ideology

May 29, 2025

‘The Economy Is On Fire!’: Kevin O’Leary Drops Fact Check On CNN Panelists Railing Against Trump’s Economy

May 29, 2025

DeSantis Signs Bill Making Gold And Silver Legal Tender

May 28, 2025
© 2025 Patriotnownews.com - All rights reserved.
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.