Iran: Relations With Key Central Asian States (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
July 23, 1998 |
| Report Number |
98-86 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Kenneth Katzman and Jim Nichol, Foreign Affairs and National Defense Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
Iran sees the Central Asian region as an arena for reducing its own isolation. Hoping to make
itself
an attractive economic and political partner to these states, Iran has been cautious in supporting
radical Islamic opposition movements in the region. Several Central Asian states are proceeding with
or contemplating energy projects that transit Iran. These projects present the Administration and
Congress with the dilemma of how to keep Iran's financial resources constrained while at the same
time fostering economic and political development in Central Asia. Provisions in S. 2334 , covering FY1999 foreign operations appropriations ( S.Rept. 105-255 ), as well as in
S. 1344 , the Silk Road Strategy Act of 1997, appear intended to reduce Central Asian
incentives to cooperate with Iran. This report will be updated to reflect legislative developments.
