Iran and Uzbekistan: Afghanistan’s New Trade Routes
In recent years, amid disruptions in Afghanistan’s trade relations with Pakistan, Iran and Uzbekistan have emerged as two of Afghanistan’s main trading partners.
According to available data, Afghanistan’s annual trade volume with Iran has reached $3.3 billion, while trade with Uzbekistan has risen to $1.7 billion.
Iran is one of Afghanistan’s principal suppliers of food products, fuel, and essential commodities, while Uzbekistan is among the country’s key partners in the energy sector, food supplies, and transit.
Following disruptions in Afghanistan’s trade with Pakistan after the closure of shared border crossings in Mizan 1404 (September–October 2025), part of Afghanistan’s trade shifted to alternative routes, including Iran and Uzbekistan.
However, Mahmoud Siadat, head of the Iran-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce, said Iran did not fully capitalize on this opportunity, whereas Uzbekistan managed to increase its exports to Afghanistan by 41 percent within a year.
Wasim Safi, Chief Executive Officer of the Afghanistan Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock, emphasized the importance of strengthening ties with Uzbekistan and other countries, saying: “Relations between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan have improved significantly, and this is considered a major achievement for the country’s trade. If we want to expand our trade and increase exports, we need to strengthen our commercial ties with all countries, especially Uzbekistan.”
Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) says expanding trade relations with Iran and Uzbekistan has created a valuable opportunity to diversify the country’s transit routes.
According to reports, a delegation led by Sayed Karim Hashemi, accompanied by more than 100 Afghan traders and investors, has traveled to Uzbekistan to discuss expanding trade and investment cooperation.
Ehsanullah Ehsan, Director of Public Relations at the chamber, said: “Trade between Afghanistan, Iran, and Uzbekistan continues as normal. Alongside imports, Afghan traders are also exporting domestic products to the markets of these two countries. The Chamber of Commerce and Investment is working with relevant institutions to support domestic production, attract investment, and facilitate business activities for Afghan traders.”
While Afghanistan’s trade with Uzbekistan continues without major disruption, recent tensions between Iran and the United States have raised concerns about their potential impact on Afghanistan’s trade and transit. Nevertheless, Iranian officials have insisted that commercial cooperation with Afghanistan continues as normal.
