Central Asia is expected to maintain pragmatic ties with Iran, prioritizing trade, transport, and connectivity despite the IRGC's growing influence and the disruptions caused by the 2026 conflict.
Iran remains a vital trade corridor for the region, with countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan seeking to restore and diversify transport links while avoiding overdependence on any single route.
Long-term cooperation is likely to rebound if hostilities ease, driven by shared economic interests, reconstruction opportunities, and projects such as the International North-South Transport Corridor.
