Iran

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.

Indonesia's growing ties with Iran and other Middle Eastern states offer a good illustration of its "free and active" foreign policy tradition.

The kind of Iranian drones Tajikistan has an agreement to manufacture are not those seen in the sky over Ukraine.

Despite past tensions, the security and economic ties between the two regions have strengthened over the past year.

Only recently has Central Asia become a policy priority for Tehran, which now sees the region as a potential “bridge” between Iran and the East.