Iran and Uzbekistan sign MOU to expand transit cooperation, boost regional connectivity

Iran and Uzbekistan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation in transit and logistics infrastructure, marking a significant step in strengthening regional trade routes.

The agreement was formalized in a ceremony attended by Iranian Minister of Transport and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh, Uzbek Minister of Transport Ilkhom Rustamovich Makhkamov, and Saeed Rasouli, head of Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO).

Under the MOU, the two sides will facilitate the development of a dedicated terminal and logistics center for Uzbek trade at Shahid Rajaee Port, Iran’s largest and most strategically important port located on the southern coast by the Persian Gulf.

Key provisions include:

• Investment opportunities for Uzbek private sector companies in building and operating the facility.
• Streamlined procedures for acquiring permits and implementing infrastructure plans.
• Enhanced transit coordination, supporting broader connectivity through Iran's transport corridors.
   

The agreement aligns with both nations’ efforts to strengthen East-West and North-South transit networks, with Iran offering access to maritime trade routes and Uzbekistan seeking greater logistical integration with global markets.

The move is also seen as complementary to ongoing regional transport initiatives, such as the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and China’s Belt and Road Initiative, in which both countries have shown active interest.

Analysts view the MOU as a pragmatic advancement in regional logistics, offering landlocked Uzbekistan a reliable route to global markets via Iran’s southern ports, while giving Tehran a larger role in Central Asian trade dynamics.

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