Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Ashgabat(capital of Turkmenistan) on Monday for an official visit. Iranian media reported, the delegation includes high government official and economists.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Abbas Araghchi will meet senior Turkmen officials and hold talks with them. Both sides are expected to discuss how to improve their relations and work together more closely to resolve political and economic issues.
The visit comes after a phone call on October 26 between Araghchi and Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov. During the call, they discussed regional and global issues. Both officials said countries should rely on dialogue and diplomacy to maintain peace and reduce tensions across the region.
Meredov holds two major positions. He serves as Turkmenistan’s top diplomat and also chairs the joint committee that guides economic cooperation between the both countries. He visited Tehran in February 2025 on the invitation of Araghchi.
Iran and Turkmenistan share a border about 1,100 kilometers long. Turkmenistan also serves as a key land route connecting Iran with Central Asia, with the Sarakhs border crossing playing an important role. Iran is also one of Turkmenistan’s longest-standing regional partners.
Energy remains a key part of relations between Iran and Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan has traditionally supplied about 5 percent of Iran’s gas needs. Since early 2025, a gas swap deal has also allowed Turkmen gas to reach Turkey through Iran’s pipeline network. Under this arrangement, Iran receives gas from Turkmenistan and delivers an equal amount to Turkey. In 2024, both countries also agreed to a plan for a 125-kilometer pipeline to transport Turkmen gas to Iraq.
Trade is another key area of cooperation. Last year, both countries signed an agreement to increase bilateral trade to $3 billion. Earlier this year, officials also discussed plans to set up joint free trade zones in Sarakhs and Lotfabad-Artiq, open more border markets and sign a new gas supply contract.
Railway cooperation is also part of their growing ties. In February, senior rail officials from both countries met at the Sarakhs border station to discuss ways to expand cooperation and develop regional rail links.
Relations between the both countries have also faced challenges. In 2017, Turkmenistan stopped gas supplies to Iran over a dispute about unpaid bills. However, both sides have expanded their energy cooperation in recent years.
Turkmenistan follows a policy of permanent neutrality, which was recognized by the United Nations in 1995. This policy allows Ashgabat to maintain relations with different countries without joining military alliances or taking sides in wider regional and global tensions.
The visit also comes at a tense time. Iran has faced a war this year, and mediators have been working to ease tensions between Iran and the United States. Governments across Central Asia have urged all sides to avoid further conflict and support peaceful solutions.
Just days earlier, both countries discussed ways to improve trade, build stronger business relations and expand cooperation in energy and industry. They are also working to increase cargo transport and improve road, rail and port connections between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf.
Iranian officials have also proposed new gas swap arrangements. In October, Iran’s Deputy Economy Minister Dr. Mahdi Heidari said gas swaps, energy infrastructure and petrochemical projects could create new opportunities for cooperation with Turkmenistan and other countries in the region.
No official announcements had been made by Monday morning. Both governments are working to build closer political and economic ties, and their foreign ministers have stayed in regular contact.
