live Iran ties Hormuz reopening to U.S. concessions on several demands
Iran said it was nearing a final pact with Oman defining new shipping lanes between them through the Strait of Hormuz but repeated that the U.S. must ...
Uzbekistan and the U.S. are preparing to launch a joint investment platform by the end of the year, alongside the creation of a new bilateral business council aimed at strengthening economic cooperation.
The initiatives were discussed during meetings in Washington led by Head of the Presidential Administration Saida Mirziyoyeva and senior U.S. officials, including representatives of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).
During talks with DFC Chief Executive Officer Ben Black, the sides discussed a “large portfolio” of potential projects and mechanisms to attract American investors to Uzbekistan. The U.S. development finance institution expressed readiness to help mobilise investment and share financial risks.
“We also plan to launch a joint investment platform this year,” Mirziyoyeva said following the meeting.
The discussions involved senior Uzbek officials, including Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov, Ambassador to the United States Furkat Sidikov, and representatives of the Presidential Administration. The planned platform is expected to finance priority projects and strengthen cooperation with U.S. financial institutions.
The talks followed the inaugural meeting of the U.S.–Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council held in Washington. The new structure aims to strengthen contacts between entrepreneurs and create what officials described as a solid institutional foundation for joint business initiatives. A memorandum of understanding was signed following the meeting.
According to Mirziyoyeva, the council became possible due to the high level of trust between the leaders of both countries. U.S. co-chair Sergio Gor noted that Washington has demonstrated “serious intentions” to deepen its strategic partnership with Central Asia.
The council is expected to coordinate major investment and trade initiatives and facilitate dialogue between government agencies, financial institutions and private sector representatives. Plans also include establishing a dedicated investment fund to attract capital to Uzbekistan. The DFC is expected to serve as an anchor investor, with potential participation from the Asian Development Bank and the International Finance Corporation.
Among the priorities of the new mechanism are reducing tariff barriers, diversifying Uzbekistan’s investment portfolio, and promoting products and services from Uzbek companies, including IT Park Uzbekistan residents, in the U.S. market.
The proposal to create a joint investment platform was first discussed during President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to Washington in November 2025. The sides examined steps to accelerate financing of priority projects and discussed opening a regional DFC office in Tashkent.
Officials say the new initiatives are expected to deepen economic cooperation, expand investment flows, and strengthen the long-term partnership between Uzbekistan and the United States.
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A deal on a new route for vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is "very close," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said, while warning that the reopening of the waterway depends on the U.S. meeting other conditions, including paying compensation to Iran.
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