Tariq Saeedi As the war on Iran moves into its sixth week, it is useful to pause and recall the legal standards that the international community has established to limit the conduct of hostilities. These standards are not abstract ideals; they exist to protect civilians and civilian objects even when states are engaged in armed conflict. A war crime, under international … [Read more...]
War on Iran – Part Twenty-Two – The Language of Frustration: President Trump’s Rhetoric Since the War Began
Tariq Saeedi As the conflict enters its sixth week, one noticeable shift has been the tone of President Trump’s public statements. Offensive or unparliamentary language, long a feature of his communication style, has become more frequent and pointed since the strikes began on 28 February 2026. What follows is a factual record of the language itself and some expert … [Read more...]
War on Iran – Part Twenty-One – Everyday Acts of Solidarity: The Human Face of Resilience
Tariq Saeedi As the conflict continues into its fifth week, most international reporting focuses on military movements, diplomatic statements, and economic shocks. Yet one of the quieter but more revealing stories is unfolding on the streets and in neighbourhood shops across Iran. Ordinary citizens are finding small, practical ways to support one another amid uncertainty … [Read more...]
War on Iran – Part Nineteen – Understanding Iran: A Personal Perspective
Tariq Saeedi In the previous part of this series, we listened to the voices from the pulpits — the Friday sermons delivered in Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad. Those messages reflected grief, resolve, and a call for national unity amid ongoing conflict. Today, it seems fitting to take a step back and try to understand the deeper context of who the Iranians are as a people, and … [Read more...]
War on Iran – Part Eighteen – Voices from the Pulpit: Friday Prayers in a Time of War
Tariq Saeedi As the conflict moves into its fifth week, the rhythm of Friday prayers across Iran has offered a window into the national mood. These sermons, delivered in the country’s three most prominent religious centres — Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad — have become platforms for mourning, defiance, and calls for unity. In Tehran, at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla, the sermon was … [Read more...]
War on Iran – Part Seventeen – The Soul of a Nation: Iran Through Its Literary Heritage
Tariq Saeedi In the previous part of this series, we recalled the hard-won lessons left by Robert McNamara — principles forged in the crucible of earlier conflicts that still speak directly to any nation contemplating or conducting war. Among them was the importance of empathy: the need to understand an adversary not as a caricature, but as a people shaped by their own … [Read more...]
Iran’s Foreign Minister Thanks Turkmenistan for Evacuation Aid and Humanitarian Support
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has publicly expressed gratitude to Turkmenistan for its role in helping repatriate Iranian citizens and for delivering humanitarian assistance during the ongoing conflict, as confirmed by multiple regional and international sources. In a statement posted to his official Telegram channel, Araghchi acknowledged the difficulties many … [Read more...]
War on Iran – Part Sixteen – Lessons from History We Cannot Afford to Ignore
Tariq Saeedi As I watch the conflict enter its fifth week, a sobering realisation has settled in. What began as a calculated military operation now shows every sign of drifting toward the kind of prolonged entanglement that history warns us against. The early assumptions about rapid decapitation, internal collapse, and swift regional realignment have not materialised in … [Read more...]
War on Iran – Part Fifteen – Iran’s Accounting of the Conflict
Tariq Saeedi As the fighting enters its fourth week, the Islamic Republic of Iran has circulated a detailed report through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs that sets out its formal assessment of the events between 28 February and 13 March 2026. The document, which has been shared with the United Nations, offers a sober accounting of what Tehran describes as the human, … [Read more...]
War on Iran – Part Fourteen – Resilience and Renewal
Tariq Saeedi As I mark the calendar on March 23, 2026, with the war now stretching into its fourth week, I find myself reflecting on a quiet but powerful counterpoint to the daily reports of bombardment and destruction. Amid the smoke over Tehran and the persistent strikes across the country, Iranians have begun the work of recovery almost as soon as the dust settles. … [Read more...]
Foreign Ministers of Turkmenistan and Iran Held Telephone Talks
On 23 March 2026, a telephone conversation took place between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Abbas Araghchi, according to the foreign ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties exchanged congratulations on the occasion of Nowruz. Araghchi expressed his gratitude to the … [Read more...]
War on Iran – Part Thirteen – Economic Lifelines Under Fire: From the Gulf to the Caspian
Tariq Saeedi As I follow the latest developments in this conflict, two Israeli strikes stand out for their deliberate focus on Iran’s economic and maritime foundations. One targeted facilities connected to the South Pars natural gas field in the Persian Gulf — the world’s largest such reservoir and the source of roughly 70 percent of Iran’s domestic gas production. The … [Read more...]
War on Iran – Part Twelve – The Children of Minab
Tariq Saeedi There are truths that transcend every border, every flag, every ideology. Children are not “ours” or “theirs.” They belong to all of humanity. Their safety, their laughter, their right to grow up without fear—these are not negotiable. Any crime against a child is a crime against every one of us. When that crime is deliberate, when it takes the lives of little … [Read more...]
War on Iran – Part Eleven – Iranians as an Institutionalized Nation
Tariq Saeedi As the conflict moves through its third week, the pattern of escalation continues despite repeated shortfalls in expected outcomes. The hope that overwhelming force and mounting destruction might somehow sway public sentiment inside Iran has not materialized in the anticipated way. Instead, the gap between preconceived notions and the realities on the ground … [Read more...]
War on Iran – Part Ten – A Composite Conflict Without a Clean Termination Point
Tariq Saeedi As I step back and look at the broader picture after nearly three weeks of fighting, one truth stands out: this is not a conventional war with clear lines between opposing forces. It is a composite conflict, layered with multiple battles playing out simultaneously—military, economic, informational, and ideological. Not every participant is firing shots; some … [Read more...]
Iranian Ambassador to Turkmenistan Conducts Briefing for Media
On 16 March 2026, Ali Mojtaba Rouzbehani, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Turkmenistan, held a press briefing for local and international media outlets in Ashgabat. Speaking in Farsi with consecutive Russian translation, the Ambassador addressed regional security and the growing partnership between Tehran and Ashgabat. Ambassador Rouzbehani praised the ties … [Read more...]
War on Iran – Part Nine – Role of AI in Iran War
Tariq Saeedi As I review the unfolding events of the past two weeks, one dimension of this conflict stands out with quiet but unmistakable clarity: the central role of artificial intelligence in shaping how strikes are selected, prioritized, and executed. Operation Epic Fury, which began on February 28, 2026, saw more than 5,500 strikes in eleven days — roughly 1,000 of … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan Sends Humanitarian Aid to Iran: Upholding Traditions of Good Neighborliness and Humanism
Turkmenistan has sent a humanitarian aid shipment to the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The timing of this initiative coincides with the holy month of Ramadan and the Night of Power (Laylat-ul-Qadr), underscoring its profound spiritual and humanitarian significance. The humanitarian aid is provided on behalf of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for … [Read more...]
War on Iran – Part Eight – What the Futurists Foretold
Tariq Saeedi As I follow the daily shifts in this conflict—new dimensions emerging almost overnight while others quietly fade—I find myself returning to a handful of thinkers who, decades ago, described exactly the kind of war we are now watching unfold. They did not predict this specific crisis, of course. No serious futurist claims that kind of precision. Yet their … [Read more...]
North-South Corridor via Turkmenistan Remains Operational Despite Middle East Tensions
The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is facing significant challenges due to the conflict in the Middle East; however, the eastern route passing through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan remains functional and demonstrates resilience despite regional difficulties. This was highlighted in statements made by Russian Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin during an … [Read more...]
War on Iran – Part Seven – Emerging and Receding Dimensions
Tariq Saeedi As I watch the conflict grind into its second week, it becomes clearer every day that this war was launched without the kind of planning that history demands. There was no widely accepted justification that could withstand scrutiny, and no set of measurable objectives that could be ticked off as achieved or abandoned. In their absence, what accumulates is … [Read more...]
Arkadag Berdimuhamedov Congratulates Mojtaba Khamenei on Election as Supreme Leader of Iran
The National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, sent his congratulations to Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei on the occasion of his election as the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, according to the state news agency TDH. Arkadag Berdimuhamedov wished the Supreme Leader of Iran … [Read more...]
War on Iran – Part Six – Avoiding the Traps of History
Tariq Saeedi As I reflect on the unfolding conflict, it strikes me that this war on Iran defies all reason and logic. There was no compelling justification presented for launching the strikes—no imminent threat that couldn't have been addressed through diplomacy or existing sanctions. And without clear, measurable objectives, what we're left with is a cycle of mindless death … [Read more...]
War on Iran – Part Five – A Catalogue of Strategic Missteps
Tariq Saeedi As the conflict enters its second week, the initial U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran—intended to neutralize threats from its nuclear program and leadership—have evolved into a broader confrontation. While the operation has achieved some tactical aims, such as the elimination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and damage to key military sites, it has also … [Read more...]
Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Expressed Condolences at the Iranian Embassy
On 4 March 2026, the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov, visited the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Ashgabat. He signed the book of condolences in memory of Ayatollah Khamenei, as reported by the International Information Center of Turkmenistan. During the visit, Meredov met with the Iranian … [Read more...]
Türkiye Presses for Diplomacy Amid Regional Turmoil, Keeping Channels Open With Iran
nCa Commentary As conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran intensifies, Ankara positions itself as a would-be mediator — protecting its airspace while refusing to be drawn into the wider war. As the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran enters its sixth day, Türkiye has emerged as one of the most active voices calling for de-escalation, with … [Read more...]
MFA: Over 200 Foreign Nationals Entered Turkmenistan from Iran
As of 4 March 2026, more than 200 people from 16 different countries have entered the territory of Turkmenistan from neighboring Iran. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, the group includes citizens from Central Asian states, China, Russia, the USA, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and other nations. "In connection … [Read more...]
War on Iran – Part Three – Secondary and Tertiary Repercussions
Tariq Saeedi The initial phase of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, followed by Tehran's counterattacks, has produced immediate and visible primary effects: widespread death and destruction across targeted sites. Among the most tragic incidents was the bombing of a girls' school in Minab, southern Iran, where reports indicate at least 165 students aged 7 to 12 and school staff … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan Facilitates Evacuation of Foreign Nationals from Iran
Amid the current regional situation, Turkmenistan has opened its borders to ensure the safe transit of foreign citizens leaving Iranian territory. Diplomatic missions from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and South Korea, with the active cooperation of Turkmen authorities, have organized a large-scale operation to repatriate their citizens. Reopening of Border … [Read more...]
War on Iran – Part Two – Debris of Expectations
Tariq Saeedi As I reflect on the events unfolding since the strikes began on 28 February 2026, the conflict with Iran is now entering its third day, a point that feels like the early midpoint in what was anticipated to be a swift operation. The initial decapitation of Iran's leadership, including the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been followed by extensive … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan Foreign Minister Holds Phone Talks with Central Asian Colleagues – Thanks Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan for Evacuation Assistance
On 2 March 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Ermek Kosherbaev, held a series of telephone conversations with his counterparts from Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, the ministers engaged in a detailed exchange of views regarding the unfolding military and political … [Read more...]
National Leader of Turkmenistan Expresses Condolences to the President of Iran
The National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, has sent his condolences to the President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian and the Iranian people in connection with the untimely passing of the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, TDH reports. The message expressed words of sympathy at this … [Read more...]
Central Asian Nations Respond to Middle East Escalation; Turkmenistan Opens Sarakhs Border Crossing for Evacuations of Foreign Citizens
Ashgabat, Tashkent, Astana, Bishkek, Dushanbe, 2 March 2026 — The states of Central Asia have issued official statements regarding the sharp escalation of tensions in the Middle East. The situation, triggered by U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent Iranian retaliatory attacks on American military bases in Arab nations, has drawn a unified regional … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan Voices Grave Concern Over Middle East Escalation
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan releases a statement for the media: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan expresses its concern due to the aggravation of the situation in the Middle East and stresses that the fact that this escalation occurred amid diplomatic efforts on the settlement of the situation in the region is regrettable. Turkmenistan … [Read more...]
War on Iran – Part One – Martyrdom of Khamenei
Tariq Saeedi On 28 February 2026, the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in the initial wave of strikes launched by US-Israeli forces on his compound in central Tehran. This event marked a pivotal moment in the escalating conflict, drawing immediate reactions from across the political spectrum. While the strikes were framed by the attackers as a … [Read more...]
UNDP Launches Regional Project to Tackle Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution in the Caspian Sea
Ashgabat, 26 February 2026: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Secretariat of the Framework (Tehran) Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea, and the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, held an inception seminar to mark the launch of the … [Read more...]
Sanctions on Key Economic Partners of Central Asia
Tariq Saeedi Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) maintains strong economic ties with Russia, Iran, and China, primarily in energy, trade, remittances, and infrastructure. However, ongoing US and EU sanctions on these partners—often justified on grounds of human rights violations, military aggression, or nuclear proliferation—have … [Read more...]
Ambassador of Turkmenistan met with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister
On 15 February 2026, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran between the Ambassador of Turkmenistan in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ylyas Gayypov, and the Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran for Political Affairs, Majid Takhtravanchi. During the meeting, which took place in a friendly atmosphere, the parties discussed issues … [Read more...]
Iran Unveils Major Container Terminal at Sarakhs border with Turkmenistan to Boost Central Asia Trade Links
Iran has established a significant new container transport complex at Sarakhs, a strategic border town with Turkmenistan in northeastern Iran, positioning the Islamic Republic as a crucial transit hub between China, Central Asia, and Europe, according to recent reports. The terminal, currently being constructed by China on the Iran-Turkmenistan border, marks a major … [Read more...]
Embassy of Iran in Turkmenistan hosts reception to mark 47th anniversary of revolution
The embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran hosted a reception on 10 February 2026 to mark the 47th anniversary of the Victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and the National Day of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Here is a truncated version of the speech of Ambassador Ali Mojtaba Rouzbehani: I am honored to welcome you, distinguished guests, on the occasion of the … [Read more...]
Iran’s 2026 Unrest: An Independent Observer’s Analysis
Tariq Saeedi As an independent observer with a keen interest in Central Asia and broader regional affairs, I have closely examined the three reports issued by Iran's High Council for Human Rights in January 2026. These documents provide a detailed perspective on the tumultuous events that unfolded in Iran. This is obviously, point of view of the state, framing them not as … [Read more...]
From the Caspian to the Persian Gulf: Kazakhstan and Iran Advance Logistics Projects
Elvira Kadyrova Astana and Tehran are intensifying efforts to strengthen transport and logistics links, positioning Iran as a key gateway for Kazakhstan. In a recent meeting, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Iran Ontalap Onalbayev discussed expanding bilateral connectivity with Iran's Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh. According to Kazakhstan's Foreign … [Read more...]
Abatement of situation in Iran affords some clarity
Tariq Saeedi As of 16 January 2026, there is peace and some semblance of normalcy in the streets of Iran. With this abatement, more information has become available. This affords some clarity. In an Op-Ed, published on 15 January 2026, I wrote: “When the entire system becomes the target, a significant portion of the population—those who align with the government’s … [Read more...]
From Economic Pain to Narrative Conflict in Iran
Tariq Saeedi As the world watches the unfolding events in Iran with a mix of concern and speculation, it's easy to get lost in the cacophony of international commentary. The recent protests, which erupted in late December 2025, have once again thrust the Islamic Republic into the global spotlight, highlighting deep-seated economic frustrations and the ever-present shadow … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan Coast Guard Rescues 14 from Sinking Iranian Vessel
On 14 January 2026, in a swift maritime operation, Turkmenistan’s coastal services rescued more than a dozen crew members from a distressed Iranian cargo ship in the Caspian Sea. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan reported that the emergency began when the coast guard intercepted an SOS signal from the Rona, an Iranian-flagged dry cargo vessel. Following the … [Read more...]
Iran Situation – Need to Deconstruct the Matrix
Tariq Saeedi The discontent curdled into frustration and frustration morphed into anger. --- This is the description of the Iran situation in one sentence. It started rather peacefully in Tehran when the shopkeepers and merchants (Bazaari Class) in Grand Bazar, also known as Tehran Bazar, staged a peaceful strike on 28 December 2025. The things snowballed rather fast … [Read more...]
Airspace of Iran
nCa Report Key Points Overview of Traffic and Revenue Iran's airspace serves as a vital link for global aviation, but the 2025 conflict introduced uncertainties. Current estimates indicate recovery toward pre-conflict levels, with fees supporting infrastructure. For details, see sources like Safe Airspace and OPS Group. Diversion Implications Diversions during … [Read more...]
Iran and Turkmenistan Entitled to Share of Harirud River Water, Says Iranian Energy Minister
Iran's Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi has stated that Iran and Turkmenistan have legitimate rights to water from the Harirud River, which flows through Afghanistan, and that negotiations are needed to secure these rights. According to IRNA report, Aliabadi emphasized: "Our country and Turkmenistan have a rightful share of the Harirud River's water. However, the upstream … [Read more...]
Importance of Iran as Transit Territory
nCa Report Iran serves as a critical transit hub connecting the Middle East, Central Asia, South Asia, the Caucasus, and Europe through a network of land, rail, and sea routes. Its strategic location facilitates the efficient movement of goods, supporting regional trade and economic integration. Over the last three years (2023-2025), Iran's transit infrastructure has seen … [Read more...]
Belarus Launches Accelerated Rail Route to Iran via Russia and Central Asia
Elvira Kadyrova The largest logistics operator in Belarus, “Beltamozhservice”, has announced the launch of an accelerated container rail service for cargo delivery to Iran. The new route follows the eastern branch of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) through Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. Delivery time is just 13–15 days, making it … [Read more...]