What significance does Turkmenistan’s neutrality policy hold for Iran?

By Ali Mojtaba Rouzbahani 

Tehran, IRNA – Turkmenistan, Iran’s northeastern neighbor, has upheld a policy of “positive neutrality” for decades, an approach that has helped regional countries, including Iran, safeguard border security, expand energy cooperation, and strengthen overall regional stability.

Adopted after Turkmenistan gained independence in the 1990s following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the policy calls on the country to refrain from joining military alliances, respect the territorial integrity of neighboring states, and actively participate in international mechanisms. This strategy has positioned Turkmenistan as a neutral economic partner that has also played a mediating role in easing regional tensions.

With Iran and Turkmenistan sharing a long border and common interests in areas such as energy, trade, transit, and security, the stability resulting from Turkmenistan’s neutrality holds strategic value for the Islamic Republic.

Iran has supported this policy both in bilateral relations and within the peaceful initiatives Turkmenistan pursues on the international stage—support that has contributed, among other things, to regional security and the fight against drug trafficking from Afghanistan.

Turkmenistan has likewise expressed strong support for Iran’s positions both regionally and beyond.

The two countries have been working to expand cooperation in various fields, including culture and the economy. Their close ties have the potential to act as a driver of regional development and reduce reliance on external powers.

To mark the 30th anniversary of its neutrality policy, Turkmenistan has designated 2025 as the “International Year of Peace and Trust,” hosting several international events, including the “Peace and Trust: Foundations of Global Stability” forum scheduled to take place in Ashgabat on December 12.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is set to attend the forum, signaling both Iran’s recognition of Turkmenistan’s importance as a neighbor and its support for the country’s neutrality policy.

Pezeshkian’s participation will also offer the opportunity for meetings with officials from other participating countries and international organizations, providing a platform for Iran to present its views and advance multilateral diplomacy.

Turkmenistan’s neutrality policy remains a strategic choice with positive implications for regional stability. Iran’s support for this policy not only reflects shared security and economic interests but also lays the groundwork for deepening sustainable cooperation between the two countries.

Ali Mojtaba Rouzbahani is the current ambassador of Iran to Turkmenistan. His article, originally in Persian, was published in Iran Daily on Tuesday, December 9.