by Farhad Ibragimov at RT
During a recent visit to Turkmenistan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with his counterparts and addressed students at the Institute of International Relations in Ashgabat. Among the central themes of his remarks was the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel – a confrontation that not only affects global geopolitics but also directly impacts the security dynamics of Central Asia.
For Turkmenistan – which shares over 1,100km of border with Iran and has its capital just miles from that border – the growing tension poses serious risks. Beyond humanitarian concerns, the prospect of a wider war could awaken dormant radical networks and destabilize fragile domestic balances. These risks extend beyond Turkmenistan to other southern former Soviet republics that maintain close political and military ties with Russia.
Against this backdrop, Lavrov’s call for de-escalation and regional stability carried added weight. For Moscow, Iran is not just a partner – it’s a pillar in the buffer zone securing Russia’s southern flank. Instability in Tehran could ripple across Central Asia, threatening Russia’s near-abroad.