Tajikistan Requests 2.5 Million Tonnes of Fuel from Iran

Tajikistan has formally requested to import 2.5 million metric tonnes of oil and petroleum products from Iran, according to the Central Asian nation's transport ministry. The move comes as the country's traditional supplier, Russia, grapples with its own domestic fuel shortages.

The ministry's statement, posted on its website this week, details the request: 2 million tonnes of crude oil, 150,000 tonnes of gasoline, 300,000 tonnes of diesel, and 100,000 tonnes of jet fuel. No timeframe for the potential supplies was provided.

Tajikistan has historically sourced up to 80% of its petroleum products from Russia. However, the Persian-speaking nation also maintains close cultural and linguistic ties with Iran, making it a natural alternative partner.

Russia has been experiencing fuel shortages in recent months, exacerbated by Ukrainian drone strikes targeting its oil refineries. In response, Moscow has implemented export bans on diesel, gasoline, and aviation kerosene to stabilise its domestic market, though intergovernmental supply agreements are exempt from these restrictions.

This request follows earlier statements from Tajikistan's energy minister in July, who confirmed negotiations were underway with Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Iraq, and Belarus for additional petroleum product supplies. The move signals Dushanbe's broader strategy to diversify its energy import sources amid regional supply uncertainties.