During his first appearance as a special guest at the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) summit held in Turkmenistan, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian advocated for the creation of a 'CIS + Iran' diplomatic and economic bloc. The proposal aims to strengthen regional ties amidst ongoing geopolitical challenges.

Pezeshkian argued that the current global climate—characterized by war, external political pressures, and significant disruptions to traditional trade routes—necessitates a more resilient regional strategy. A central pillar of his pitch is Iran’s geographical position, which he described as a 'natural route' to the sea for landlocked Central Asian countries. By integrating Iran into the CIS framework, the President suggested that member states could bypass existing logistical hurdles and gain more reliable access to global markets via Iranian ports.

The summit provided a platform for Iran to signal its intent to deepen economic integration with its northern neighbors. While the proposal focuses on infrastructure and trade, it also reflects Tehran's broader strategy to mitigate the impact of international sanctions by fostering stronger partnerships within its immediate sphere of influence. The reception of this proposal by the existing CIS member states remains a point of interest, as the bloc typically consists of former Soviet republics. Pezeshkian’s visit highlights a diplomatic push to position Iran as a primary gateway for Central Asian commerce, effectively linking the region's resource-rich interior to the open waters of the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean.