U.S. and Iran exchange threats - Tuesday, 10 March
Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including thr...
Uzbekistan's president Shavkat Mirziyoyev has held a series of high-level meetings in the U.S. aimed at strengthening bilateral economic and strategic ties between the two countries.
Bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and the U.S. exceeded $1 billion last year, with about 340 American companies currently operating in the Uzbek market. A three-year, $35 billion economic co-operation programme is already in place, forming the foundation for expanded collaboration.
During the visit, Mirziyoyev held talks with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, where the sides reviewed practical steps to advance their strategic partnership and priority investment projects in energy, critical minerals, transport, agriculture and information technology.
He also met U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to discuss expanding trade volumes and advancing Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The U.S. side reiterated engagement on supporting the accession process.
The parties also proposed intensifying cooperation under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) between the United States and Central Asia.
Particular attention was paid to strengthening direct business contacts between U.S. partners and Uzbek regions.
In meetings with John Jovanovic, President and Chairman of the U.S. Export-Import Bank (Eximbank), and Ben Black, Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the sides discussed expanding financing for major industrial and infrastructure projects, as well as supporting the supply of high-tech equipment.
An agreement on the creation of a joint Investment Platform between Uzbekistan and the United States was exchanged during the visit.
Officials described the platform as a mechanism for systematically advancing priority projects and mobilising long-term capital.
Mirziyoyev invited U.S. partners to participate in the upcoming Tashkent International Investment Forum.
During a signing ceremony attended by representatives of leading U.S. companies, bilateral documents were concluded in areas including critical minerals, energy infrastructure, irrigation technologies, agriculture, financial markets and the development of fuel retail networks.
The President emphasised that economic cooperation remains a central pillar of Uzbekistan–U.S. strategic relations, highlighting reliability, predictability and long-term partnership as guiding principles.
Mirziyoyev also participated in the inaugural Peace Council meeting on Gaza, chaired by U.S. President Donald Trump and attended by leaders from multiple countries.
The discussions focused on humanitarian assistance, reconstruction and long-term stability in Gaza.
Mirziyoyev expressed Uzbekistan’s readiness to contribute to rebuilding efforts, including housing, schools and medical facilities, while stressing that any external governance mechanism must rely on the support of the local population.
A declaration supporting the activities of the Peace Council was signed at the conclusion of the meeting.
Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including threats over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Global oil prices surpassed $119 a barrel on Monday (9 March, 2026), an almost four year high, as the Middle East conflict rumbled on.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as supreme leader on Monday (9 March), signaling that hardliners remain firmly in charge, as the week-old U.S.-Israeli war with Iran pushed oil above $100 a barrel.
Iran and the U.S. exchanged threats on Tuesday, as U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Tehran to expect the “most intense day" of attacks so far. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said “anyone who entertains the illusion of destroying Iran knows nothing of history."
The Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point of global concern as tensions rise following the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Tehran has threatened to block the strategic waterway, raising fears of disruption to global oil shipments and energy markets.
Reports of so-called “acid clouds” moving from Iran towards Central Asia are not supported by scientific data, national hydrometeorological services in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan say, adding there is no threat to the region.
A senior delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has been holding meetings with Georgian government officials, opposition leaders and security authorities this week, as international observers attempt to gauge the country’s political climate following last year’s contentious elections.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has told Masoud Pezeshkian, his Iranian counterpart, that violations of Turkish airspace by Iran could not be justified “for any reason whatsoever.”
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