Iran, Tajikistan Finalizing Fuel Export Agreement
With Tajikistan's main supplier of oil, Russia, under pressure, Dushanbe has turned to another partner: Iran.
Iran and Tajikistan have reportedly finalized the framework for a long-term agreement to export Iranian oil to energy-stricken Tajikistan. The agreement was signed a month after the two sides established a logistics corridor through Afghanistan. Russia currently supplies 90 percent of Tajikistan's oil product imports, but increased attacks on Russian oil infrastructure are causing fuel shortages across Central Asia.
The U.S. conflict with Iran continues beyond the 60-day deadline set for an agreement in June, prompting Central Asian governments to seek alternative suppliers and routes. Tajikistan has turned to Iran, among other options. A high-level Tajik delegation led by Energy and Water Minister Daler Juma met with Iranian counterparts in Tehran on August 15, discussing the possibility of importing Iranian oil products, including diesel, jet fuel, and crude oil.
Iran's Mehr News Agency confirmed that a working group has been set up to address the technical and logistical details of the cooperation. Tajikistan currently has fuel reserves that will last around 60 days, with prices having escalated and shortages reported in some regions. The World Food Program noted in June that while food prices have eased, fuel costs continue to rise, with diesel prices 21.1 percent above the five-year average and petrol prices 13.2 percent above average.
Written by urgent.news from The Diplomat's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
