Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has said that several neighboring countries have contacted Tehran on new security arrangements in the region. According to him, the possibilities of economic cooperation have also been discussed in these contacts.
Qalibaf made this claim in his statement on the social media platform X on Saturday. However, he did not reveal the names of these countries or the details of the contacts.
The Iranian speaker also linked the current regional situation to the US policy. According to him, Washington prioritized support for Israel over the interests of its allies.
Qalibaf said that this policy has raised concerns about its security in some allied countries. According to him, the region should form a security structure according to its own interests instead of relying on external powers.
He said that only an independent regional system formed at the local level can become the basis for lasting peace and security in the Middle East. This position is also consistent with Iran’s recent diplomatic strategy.
Qalibaf also visited Iraq this week. In Baghdad, Iranian officials discussed economic and security cooperation along with regional issues. There, the Iranian speaker also stressed the need for a new regional system without external interference.
The development comes at a time of heightened tensions between Iran and the United States. The US government has signalled it will increase economic pressure on Iran, while Tehran has opposed new sanctions.
Economic interests are also playing a major role in the regional situation. The Strait of Hormuz issue has made relations between the Gulf states, Iran and global energy markets more sensitive.
On the other hand, Iran’s relations with some of its neighbours are also complicated. The United Arab Emirates announced this week that it would suspend trade and financial activities with Iran. Abu Dhabi has linked the decision to security concerns.
In this context, Qalibaf’s claim points to changing diplomatic priorities in the region. However, it is not yet clear which countries have contacted Tehran and what kind of security arrangements they want.
Therefore, it would be premature to interpret the Iranian speaker’s statement as an announcement of a new regional agreement. However, it is clear that Tehran is giving security and economic cooperation with regional countries an important place in its future strategy.
