Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov held a phone conversation with U.S. First Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry reported. The call took place at the initiative of the American side on the same day U.S. Air Forces launched a massive airstrike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
The official statement does not clarify whether the conversation occurred before or after the strikes, which targeted key Iranian nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the two sides exchanged views on current international and regional developments of mutual concern. Special attention was given to the escalating conflict in the Middle East and the need for coordinated humanitarian responses to the unfolding crisis.
Turkmenistan Reaffirms Neutrality and Offers Diplomatic Mediation
During the conversation, Turkmenistan reiterated its unwavering commitment to its neutral status and expressed its readiness to contribute to de-escalation efforts through diplomatic means. Ashgabat emphasized that it remains open to engaging in peaceful conflict resolution, using its full diplomatic toolkit.
Given its 1,148 km border with Iran, Turkmenistan has already assumed a key humanitarian role amid the ongoing crisis. Its territory is currently used as a transit route for foreign nationals evacuating Iran.
According to the Foreign Ministry, Turkmenistan has so far accepted over 2,000 evacuees, including citizens of Central Asian countries, Russia, South Korea, the Gulf states, Germany, the United Kingdom, and others.
Turkmen Airspace Becomes Vital Transit Corridor
Following the closure of Iranian airspace, Turkmenistan has emerged as a critical corridor for international flights, with air traffic over its territory significantly increasing. Global airlines are now rerouting to avoid active combat zones.
Background: U.S. Strikes Deepen Iran-Israel Conflict
In the early hours of June 22, U.S. air forces launched coordinated strikes on three key nuclear facilities in Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump hailed the operation as a “historic step” for America, Israel, and the global community, warning that any Iranian retaliation would be “met with overwhelming force.”
This U.S. intervention followed Israel’s launch of a major military campaign dubbed “Uprising Lion” on June 13. The combined airstrikes have reportedly killed high-ranking Iranian military commanders, including the Chief of Staff and the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), along with several top nuclear scientists.
Iran has since retaliated with its own military campaign, titled “True Promise 3,” initiating missile strikes on Israeli territory.
As tensions escalate rapidly across the Middle East, Turkmenistan’s neutral and geographically strategic position could make it an important player in potential diplomatic efforts and humanitarian coordination.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
June 23, 2025