Iran's president: Iran has stood, and will stand, against aggression
Tehran - BORNA - Meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the SCO summit, Pezeshkian pointed to the strategic level of Iran-Russia relations and the favorable pace of implementing joint agreements, thanking Moscow's government and people for their support of Iran at various junctures, including during the war and amid the pressure of US sanctions.
Pezeshkian said Russia's positions at the United Nations and other international forums reflect the distinct nature of Tehran-Moscow relations, saying this support shows the relationship between the two countries is not an ordinary one, but rather a strategic partnership grounded in shared interests.
Stressing the need to confront unilateralism and policies based on pressure and sanctions, Pezeshkian said Iran believes it can stand firmly against unilateralism and what he called Washington's unjust sanctions.
He described the SCO summit as a sign of a broader emerging will among the world's nations to confront unilateralism, adding that other countries no longer accept an international system run on unilateral terms, and that no country has the right to violate another's sovereignty or impose its goals on others through force.
Referring to the US and Israeli military aggression against Iran and the killing of Iran's top leadership along with a number of commanders and citizens, including students, Pezeshkian said these acts had no legal legitimacy and that such aggression could not be justified under any circumstances.
He stressed that the Iranian people stood firmly against this aggression, and that if the same pattern continues, they will once again stand firm.
At the same time, Pezeshkian pointed to Iran's readiness to fulfill its obligations under the recent agreement, saying that if the US returns to its commitments under the deal, Iran is likewise prepared to move forward with implementation. He said Washington can no longer impose its unlawful demands on the Iranian people through the language of force.
Pezeshkian also described Iran's active participation in regional and international organizations, including the SCO and BRICS, as an effective driver of multilateralism, saying Iran supports Russia's broader vision and approach to multilateralism and believes multilateralism will ultimately prevail over unilateralism.
Stressing the depth and sincerity of Tehran-Moscow relations, Pezeshkian said Iran-Russia engagement has been sincere and deep, with bilateral relations improving across all fields and set to expand further in the future.
Pointing to the two countries' economic and political capacities, Pezeshkian said the US and Western countries, by imposing sanctions on Iran and Russia, are effectively depriving themselves of these countries' capabilities and potential. He said the more Iran, Russia and other SCO member states expand their relations, the more the effectiveness of force-based policies and unilateral sanctions will diminish.
Putin, for his part, honored the memory of Iran's martyred Leader and his role in advancing the two countries' strategic partnership, stressing Moscow's determination to continue and deepen bilateral cooperation.
Referring to the killing of Iran's top leadership along with a number of officials, commanders and citizens, Putin described the act as a disaster and a major crime that could not be justified under any circumstances.
Putin said the US and Israel failed to achieve their objectives during their aggression against Iran, attributing that failure primarily to the unity and resilience of the Iranian people. He said Moscow had repeatedly warned Washington and Tel Aviv that a military approach against Iran would have no prospect of success, adding that Iran is a country with a rich and deeply rooted civilization and culture, and that these realities are now becoming clear to them.
Putin also expressed concern over the continuation of regional tensions, voicing hope that negotiations would lead to tangible results, saying all sides share an interest in achieving that goal.
Stressing that Moscow will continue expanding relations with Tehran across all fields, Putin said Russia will maintain its engagement with Iran in every area. He said the Russian people stand in solidarity with the Iranian people as they defend their interests.
Putin noted that Russia-Iran relations continue to develop steadily across all fields, and that despite the military and political circumstances, the two countries have sustained last year's upward trend in trade and economic ties.
Putin also asked Pezeshkian to convey his greetings and respects to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.
End Article