Iran Proposes Joining CIS Economic Cooperation as Regional Isolation Grows

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian put forward a proposal at the CIS summit in Turkmenistan to establish a cooperation format between the Commonwealth of Independent States and Iran, according to his summit address reported by Farsnews.

Pezeshkian argued that regional countries need to strengthen interconnections amid wars, crises, external pressure, and disruptions to economic and transport routes. He framed closer ties with CIS states as essential for Iran to reduce its economic isolation resulting from international sanctions.

Iran's interest in closer engagement with post-Soviet space reflects a broader strategic pivot toward Russia and Central Asia. The proposal represents an attempt to institutionalize what has largely been bilateral cooperation between Iran, Russia, and individual CIS members into a more structured regional format.