Iran

The Trump administration’s decision to revoke India's sanctions waiver for Chabahar Port represents a significant geopolitical challenge.

Due to global turmoil, the importance of the Middle Corridor has grown exponentially. However, the Caspian Sea continues to pose a significant obstacle to the realization of the corridor’s economic potential.

Allowing the Caspian Sea to succumb to industrial exploitation and climate-induced desiccation would be an irreversible tragedy.

Pakistan and Turkey have also ramped up the deportation of Afghans in recent years, with devastating humanitarian implications.

Despite tension, the underlying mutual dependencies between Iran and the Taliban, and the evolving geopolitics in the region, have forced the two sides to avoid crossing red lines.   

In Iran, the countries of Central Asia – particularly Uzbekistan – see an opportunity to diversity trade routes.

The U.S. Treasury Department has expressed its concerns over Iran using Malaysian entities to finance allied militant groups, including Hamas.

Most defendants charged in transnational repression plots are based in their home country, making arrests and prosecutions rare.

Companies based in the two countries are part of an "illicit procurement network" that has been targeted by U.S. sanctions. 

The two countries, faced with sanctions and political isolation, are not completely isolated from global networks.

The prospects of China acting as a peace mediator are much less likely closer to home.