Tehran: Ambassador of Tajikistan in Iran, Zahidi Nizomiddin Shamsiddinzoda, has expressed his country's opposition to sanctions imposed on Iran. Highlighting the negative impact of sanctions, Zahidi emphasized that they are not beneficial for any nation and often breach international law, though they are frequently used to address political conflicts.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Zahidi noted that despite fluctuations in their relationship over the past 35 years, Iran and Tajikistan have consistently worked towards strengthening their bilateral ties. He characterized the current relationship between the two nations as a strategic partnership, deeply rooted in shared historical, linguistic, and cultural connections.

High-level political dialogues have been a constant feature over these years, setting Iran-Tajikistan relations apart. Zahidi highlighted that President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan has visited Iran 22 times, while Iranian presidents have reciprocated with 16 visits to Tajikistan. Despite a decline in trade volume at one point due to misunderstandings, bilateral trade saw a significant increase from $55 million in 2020 to $450 million in 2025.

Zahidi identified cultural cooperation as a pivotal element in enhancing bilateral relations, noting the shared culture, language, and history between the two countries. He further underscored the collaboration in addressing common threats such as terrorism, organized crime, and drug trafficking, which have played a crucial role in cementing the strategic partnership.

The ambassador also mentioned the mechanisms in place for fostering cooperation, citing the 18 sessions of the Joint Commission on Iran-Tajikistan Cooperation held in Tehran and Dushanbe, with the latest meeting occurring last month in Dushanbe.

Addressing joint efforts regarding Afghanistan, Zahidi acknowledged Afghanistan as a mutual neighbor. He stated that both countries engage in economic and trade cooperation with Afghanistan, with Tajikistan exporting electricity and maintaining border markets. Tajikistan also utilizes Afghan territory as a transit route for cooperation with Iran. However, Zahidi pointed out that Tajikistan holds differing views on certain political issues with the current Afghan administration, which are widely recognized.