Iran, Belarus expand ties in energy, transit, agriculture, pharma sectors
Minister: Tehran pitches energy contracts to friendly nations in win-win push
Iran and Belarus advanced a broad package of cooperation spanning energy, petrochemicals, rail transit, agricultural machinery, and pharmaceuticals during Belarusian Industry Minister Andrei Kuznetsov’s visit to Tehran on Monday and Tuesday, after he expressed hope that bilateral trade could increase tenfold over the next two to three years.
The talks, held alongside the 18th session of the Iran-Belarus Joint Economic Commission chaired by Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mohammad Atabak, underscored both nations’ push to deepen economic ties amid shared efforts through trade and financial mechanisms.
Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad told the Belarusian industry minister that Tehran has prepared a “basket of upstream contracts” in oil and gas, describing Iran as a “land of golden investment opportunities” for friendly nations, and added that the contracts are “designed to create a win-win situation for both sides,” SHANA reported.
Kuznetsov welcomed the offer and signaled Belarus’s readiness to expand cooperation, particularly in petrochemicals and the export of catalysts and finished products to Iran.
In a separate meeting on Tuesday, Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadeq Malvajerd emphasized Iran’s logistical readiness to serve as Belarus’s gateway to southern markets. She announced Tehran’s willingness to allocate dedicated areas in southern ports and at the Aprin dry port for Belarusian use and highlighted the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two national railway authorities, IRNA reported.
Sadeq Malvajerd noted that the eastern branch of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) — routing through Incheh-Borun and Sarakhs — has been finalized for regular rail cargo traffic, enabling Belarus to export containerized and bulk goods through Iran “in the shortest time and at competitive rates.”
Jointly production line for agricultural machinery
Iranian Agriculture Minister Gholamreza Nouri Qezeljeh and Kuznetsov agreed to jointly establish a production line for agricultural machinery in Belarus. They also finalized plans to co-produce chemical fertilizers, leveraging Belarus’s potash supplies and Iran’s industrial capacity, IRIB reported.
Nouri stressed the need for diversified financial channels, proposing trilateral payment mechanisms involving Russia to facilitate trade. The Belarusian minister echoed this, stating that agricultural mechanization “can become a major pillar” of bilateral economic relations.
Iran’s logistics position as a catalyst for deeper ties
Speaking at the joint commission session on Monday, Atabak highlighted Iran’s strategic logistics position as a catalyst for deeper ties. “Iran’s location enables Belarus to access regional markets and showcase its goods through border terminals,” he said, adding that operationalizing trade agreements and establishing a free trade zone would mark a “turning point” in bilateral economic history.
Pharmaceutical, medical equipment production lines
Both sides signaled willingness to set up joint pharmaceutical and medical equipment production lines in Belarus, with Kuznetsov citing particular interest in cooperation on fresh produce, medicine, and biotechnology.
He further expressed openness to exchanges in education, culture, and tourism, and confirmed Belarus’s readiness to supply mining equipment and trucks in return for Iranian agricultural products, dried fruits, and pharmaceuticals.
The outcomes of the two-day talks reflect a coordinated effort by both governments to diversify trade, enhance connectivity via the INSTC, and embed cooperation in high-value sectors — setting the stage for what officials described as a “sustainable and constructive economic partnership” in the region.
Kuznetsov expressed hope that, with current planning in place, bilateral ties could increase tenfold within the next two to three years.