Tashkent and Tehran ink agreements to boost trade and cooperation

The signing took place during the official visit of a government delegation led by Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov to Iran. On 11 May, a meeting was held in Tehran between the Uzbek delegation, led by the Prime Minister, and the Iranian delegation, headed by First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref.

Both sides described the meeting as an important opportunity to identify new areas of cooperation and thoroughly discussed ways to increase bilateral trade volume to $2 billion, as outlined by the presidents of the two countries.

In particular, the two sides highlighted the importance of further strengthening cooperation in the field of transport and logistics. They stressed the need to immediately address longstanding unresolved issues in this sector through joint efforts and concrete measures.

They also underscored the importance of developing industrial cooperation, expanding interregional ties, and deepening collaboration in science, education, technology, and innovation. Additionally, they emphasized the need to elevate cooperation in tourism and cultural-humanitarian fields to a new level.

It was noted that relevant ministries and agencies must work more actively to ensure the timely implementation of agreements reached at the highest level.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Uzbekistan and Iran signed several key documents, including the 2025–2027 roadmap for strengthening comprehensive cooperation, a protocol approving the list of goods under a preferential trade agreement, a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in plant protection and quarantine, and a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in halal standards.

On the same day, the Uzbekistan–Iran Business Forum was held in Tehran. More than 100 entrepreneurs and representatives from various Uzbek ministries and agencies participated, presenting proposals and initiatives across different sectors and holding B2B negotiations.

Uzbekistan–Iran relations

Trade and cargo transport volumes between the two countries are on the rise, the number of joint ventures has increased, and regular direct flights between the capitals are being operated. Business and cultural-humanitarian exchanges are expanding, and trade turnover remains stable. Notably, the trade volume has reached $500 million, and the number of joint ventures has surpassed 210. In October 2024, Uzbekistan and Iran reached initial agreements to engage in preferential trade with the goal of increasing trade turnover tenfold.

On 1 April 2025, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held a phone conversation to discuss key issues in further advancing bilateral relations. They placed special emphasis on supporting and accelerating joint projects in the chemical and petrochemical industries, textile and food production, agriculture, construction materials, and other sectors.

The two leaders also met in October 2024 during an international forum in Ashgabat, where they discussed pressing issues related to the development of multifaceted Uzbekistan–Iran relations.