Rustam Burnashev, a political scientist specializing in Central Asian security affairs, described Kazakhstan’s recent decision to join the Abraham Accords with Israel as a purely symbolic and ideological step. He noted that the initiative holds minimal practical significance for Astana.
Burnashev emphasized that Kazakhstan shares no military conflicts with Israel and maintains unrestricted trade relations with the nation. “The Abraham Accords, designed to normalize diplomatic ties between Israel and Arab states previously in conflict, do not apply meaningfully to Kazakhstan,” he explained.
The expert also stated that Kazakhstan’s decision has raised concerns among Iranian officials. While the matter may be addressed during upcoming bilateral discussions between Kazakh and Iranian leaders—likely in closed sessions—Burnashev added that Kazakhstan’s participation in the Abraham Accords is unlikely to influence Tehran’s position.
Upcoming diplomatic engagements between Kazakhstan and Iran, scheduled for December 10–11, will focus on increasing bilateral trade turnover to $3 billion annually. The two nations are actively developing bilateral relations through expanded transport and logistics cooperation, including the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway line and a transport and logistics center in Iran’s Bandar Abbas port.
