Tajikistan Taps Iranian Oil as Russian Supplies Come Under Scrutiny
Tajikistan has begun receiving oil and petroleum products from Iran as part of a new supply route, opening up an alternative energy source for the landlocked country. The deliveries started in late August following talks between Tajikistan's Energy and Water Resources Ministry and Iranian officials.
The exact volume of the shipments, commercial terms, and transportation method have not been disclosed by the ministry. However, the move raises concerns about potential US secondary sanctions for doing business with Iran, particularly as Washington has increased pressure on Tehran's oil revenues.
Tajikistan has requested up to 2.55 million tons of crude oil and petroleum products annually from Iran, including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. The country faces uncertainty over fuel supplies from Russia, which accounted for more than 91 percent of Tajikistan's petroleum-product imports in the first half of 2026.
The Iranian deliveries come amid a broader warming of relations between Dushanbe and Tehran, with bilateral trade reaching $438 million in 2025, up 28 percent from the previous year. The two countries have established diplomatic relations since 1992 and have signed over 200 agreements and memorandums.