Pezeshkian pitches 'CIS + Iran' bloc at Turkmenistan summit

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for a new "CIS + Iran" format during his first appearance as a special guest at the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) summit in Turkmenistan. He proposed Tehran as the region's gateway to open waters, emphasizing the urgency of regional resilience amid war, external pressure, and disrupted trade routes.

Pezeshkian stressed that Iran is not just a partner but a "natural route" to the sea for Central Asia, highlighting Iran's southern ports, such as Chabahar, as crucial links to South Asia, Africa, and Europe. He advocated for connecting existing routes rather than competing with them. Pezeshkian also supported Turkmenistan's UN proposal for a Caspian Sea transport corridor, suggesting that it could be constructed using Iranian infrastructure.

He condemned US and Israeli attacks on Iran while maintaining that Tehran remains open to dialogue, but only under the condition that negotiation cannot be under the threat of force; it would amount to imposition and coercion. Pezeshkian warned that sanctions would negatively impact not only Iran but also regional trade, energy, and connectivity.