🇹🇯🇮🇷 Tajikistan is stepping into clearer view as a practical partner for Iran. FM Araghchi hosted the Central Asian country’s energy and transport ministers in Tehran and thanked them for standing by Iran during the recent fighting. Both sides pushed for deeper cooperation on fuel supplies and logistics. The two countries share old linguistic and cultural ties. Iran was the first to recognize independent Tajikistan in 1991. Relations cooled for a period in the 2010s, then steadily warmed again with power plant projects, tunnels, growing trade, and a visa free regime. What looks new is really the continuation of a quiet, long running alignment that is now getting more public attention. Source: Iran Government / Writer: Lucas

🇹🇯 Tajikistan has officially banned the wearing of hijabs to counter religious radicalism Tajikistan has officially introduced a strict legislative ban on the import and wearing of black hijabs, Arabic headwear, and clothing recognized by the authorities as “alien to national culture,” and has strengthened strict control over the wearing of beards for religious reasons. Official authorities explain these measures as necessary to counter religious radicalism and extremism, preserve national identity, and protect the secular nature of the state.

Met with Tajikistani Foreign Minister Muhriddin to discuss expanding commercial opportunities in critical minerals. We also talked about our continued cooperation in security and counterterrorism and the importance of engagement through the C5+1 diplomatic platform.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in Beijing. China stands ready to work with #Tajikistan# to steadily expand the scale of trade, improve the quality and efficiency of investment cooperation, and deepen cooperation in mineral resources, green industries, digital economy, infrastructure, and other fields, so as to better serve the modernization drive of both countries. 🔗