Regional security must be built by regional nations, US presence unconstructive: Iran VP

Tehran - BORNA - Speaking at a diplomatic reception commemorating the National Day of Saudi Arabia in Tehran, Ghaem-Panah outlined Iran’s policy toward neighboring states and warned against the destabilizing role of foreign forces.

"The presence of the United States in the region is not constructive, and the destiny of this region must be built and nurtured by regional countries," Ghaem-Panah stated.

Addressing security developments, the vice president pointed to the military strikes launched late last year during the holy month of Ramadan by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, noting that the aggression took place in the middle of diplomatic negotiations.

"Through this action, the United States betrayed the nations and peoples of the region. Rather than strengthening security, it plunged the region into warfare through reckless adventurism and unilateralism alongside the Zionist regime, which pursues the illusion of 'Greater Israel,'" he said.

Ghaem-Panah noted that the attacks occurred while Tehran was actively advancing bilateral relations with its neighbors. The strikes resulted in the martyrdom of numerous Iranians—including schoolchildren at the Shajarah Tayyiba elementary school in Minab, children in Lamerd, civil and military officials, and the late Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei.

The Iranian official urged regional vigilance to safeguard neighborly ties against foreign interference: "This region has adversaries who never hesitate to disrupt our fraternal relations; we must not permit their malign intentions to materialize."

Ghaem-Panah affirmed that under the leadership of Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, the Islamic Republic of Iran will emerge from these regional and national trials more resilient than before.

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