According to Khabaronline, an Iranian news agency, Pezeshkian stated that the contemporary world “needs to rethink the very meaning of peace more than ever before,” emphasizing that genuine peace does not emerge from increased military budgets, hard security alliances, or symbolic diplomatic gestures, but from addressing the true roots of instability—“inequality, monopoly, and discrimination.”
Below is the full text of the president’s remarks:
In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
At the outset, I would like to thank the government and the brotherly people of Turkmenistan for hosting this valuable conference, which coincides with the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s declaration of neutrality.
Any event or opportunity that prompts us to think and speak about peace, security, and development is an event worthy of human and moral appreciation. Any state or nation that strives in this direction deserves recognition and support.
The initiative of establishing the Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security and Development—introduced by the leadership of Turkmenistan and supported by the United Nations—is a commendable step by a country that has demonstrated its commitment to peace and security in practice.
Today, on behalf of the peace-loving and great people of Iran, I reaffirm that every effort that strengthens the discourse of peace and cooperation at the regional and global levels will enjoy the full support of the people and government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Distinguished Colleagues,
In a world increasingly overwhelmed by crises, wars are not sudden events; they are the product of selfishness and the illusion of superiority. Long before wars erupt on the battlefield, they take root in unjust global economic structures, in institutions that amplify the voices of the powerful while silencing the weak, and in legal systems that condition justice on the will of major powers. As a result, peace—rather than being a universal right—becomes a privilege that persists only in select geographies.
More than ever, humanity needs to rethink the concept of peace—peace that does not emerge through increased military spending, nor through hard security alliances, nor through superficial diplomacy, but through confronting the real drivers of instability: inequality, monopoly, and discrimination.
Distinguished Guests,
Within the current landscape of discrimination and inequality, the policies of major powers in West Asia have effectively created a special privilege for the Zionist regime—one that lies at the root of many of the region’s wars and injustices. This privilege is the product of a complex mix of geopolitical calculations, historical alliances, Western security interests, and the failure of international institutions to enforce real justice.
It is within this environment that the regime has pursued aggressive policies—from repeated atrocities in Gaza and illegal settlement expansion in the West Bank to recurrent attacks on Syria, Lebanon, and even the Islamic Republic of Iran and Qatar. This situation directly reflects concentrated global power and the double standards that have fostered a form of security exceptionalism for Israel.
When a single actor is effectively exempted from global oversight and accountability, the roots of injustice deepen, and the foundations of lasting peace collapse.
It is on the basis of these injustices and exceptionalism that the Zionist regime dared, last June, to launch an attack on the Islamic Republic of Iran, killing hundreds of my innocent countrymen. This aggression not only escaped international punishment but was met with full political and military support from those who claim to uphold human rights and global peace. As long as such privileges exist for the Zionist regime, one cannot speak of peace or a just global order.
If the world truly seeks peace and a fair international system, it must accept that no country—not even the major powers—should be allowed to place itself above global norms.
Distinguished Guests,
Under current circumstances, the responsibility of all nations is to demonstrate—through regional initiatives, active participation in international organizations, and ethical, multilateral diplomacy—that the world does not speak solely in the language of great powers.
In this regard, we view the convening of this conference as a step toward reminding the global community of its shared responsibility to prevent obvious deviations from the principles of peace and international trust. We thank the government and people of Turkmenistan for their efforts to strengthen the discourse of peace and security.
The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that active and responsible neutrality does not mean passivity or indifference in the face of oppression and aggression. Rather, it is a dynamic, ethical concept firmly rooted in the principles of international law, humanitarian norms, the UN Charter, and the highest human values. Responsible neutrality requires principled and just positions in the face of any injustice or clear violation of sovereignty and human rights.
As a responsible member of the international community, the Islamic Republic of Iran strongly believes that peace and development can only be achieved through equal dialogue, collective cooperation, respect for international law and the UN Charter, and the rejection of unilateralism. I hope today’s conference will create suitable grounds for advancing our shared goals and pave the way for peace, stability, and development across the region.
In closing, I express my gratitude for the hospitality of the brotherly government of Turkmenistan and Mr. Serdar Berdimuhamedow. We support any proposal that promotes peace and security, and we will endorse the initiative presented.
Thank you for your attention.
Your Comment