Iran advocates stronger relations among ACD members

Iran's acting Foreign Minister, Ali Baqeri Kani, emphasized the importance of multilateralism and constructive interaction among independent bodies within the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) member states.

In a message on his social media X account, Baqeri Kani pointed out that the recent ACD meeting in Tehran provided an opportunity for the representatives of the member states and the secretaries general of the Asian international organizations to discuss and exchange opinions on the issues of the agenda of the meeting and the perspective of the activities of the forum. 

Also speaking on Monday, and during a meeting with D-8 Secretary General Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam on the sidelines of the ACD summit, Baqeri Kani called for the organization to take an active and innovative role in various economic and commercial sectors to benefit its members.

Baqeri Kani urged the D-8 to enhance dynamism and promote synergy among its member states to achieve the organization's goals and implement its plans effectively.

He praised the recent D-8 foreign ministers' meeting in Istanbul, which focused on the Zionist regime's crimes against the Palestinian people in Gaza, showcasing the D-8's determination and capacity to address significant issues in the Muslim world and beyond.

Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam, the D-8 Secretary General, acknowledged Iran's active role in both the D-8 and the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD). He expressed optimism that the ongoing ACD meeting in Tehran would yield positive outcomes for its member states. Imam elaborated on the D-8's agenda, particularly in the economic and financial sectors, and welcomed Iran's readiness for close cooperation with the organization.

Iran and Bahrain have agreed to start negotiations to resume political relations after an eight-year hiatus. 
This announcement was made on Monday in a joint statement following a meeting between Iran's acting Foreign Minister, Ali Baqeri Kani, and Bahraini Foreign Minister, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, who was in Tehran for the ACD ministerial meeting.

The statement highlighted the meeting's context within the framework of fraternal and historical relations, religious and neighborly ties, and common history and mutual interests. Both sides agreed to establish mechanisms to restart political relations between Tehran and Manama.

In early June, Mohammad Jamshidi, the deputy chief of staff for political affairs to the Iranian president, mentioned that Bahrain had sent a message through Russia to normalize relations with Iran.

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa had also indicated during a state visit to China that efforts were underway to restore diplomatic relations with Iran, emphasizing principles of good neighborliness and non-interference.

King Hamad expressed a desire to improve relations with Iran during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in May 2023. Recently, Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif al-Zayani visited Tehran to offer condolences on the passing of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

Baqeri Kani also held talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko on the sidelines of the ACD ministerial meeting in Tehran. 

At the start of the meeting, Bagheri condemned the recent terrorist attack in Russia, expressing solidarity with the Russian government and people. He described terrorism as a tool of unilateralism aimed at pressuring independent nations like Iran and Russia.

He expressed satisfaction with the finalization of the draft for a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between the two countries. Bagheri highlighted that the change of government in Iran would not alter the country’s strategic approach towards its relations with Russia.

The two officials also discussed cooperation in international forums, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), BRICS, and the 3+3 consultation mechanism on the Caucasus. 

The Acting Foreign Minister of Iran, continued his series of meetings at the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) summit in Tehran by holding talks with Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, the Foreign Minister of Kuwait.

Highlighting the many cultural ties and close relations between Iran and Kuwait, Baqeri emphasized that close cooperation between the two nations, along with other regional countries, would strengthen stability and sustainable peace in the region.

Both ministers agreed on the need to develop relations in all areas and to activate and strengthen bilateral mechanisms such as the Joint Economic Commission and the Political and Consular Committee. They also discussed various consular issues and cooperation between the two countries in international forums.

Baqeri Kani also met with Waleed El Khereiji, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Burhanettin Duran, Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkey, and Chang Byung-wan, Deputy Foreign Minister of South Korea. These meetings aimed to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation within the framework of the ACD summit.

 

Iran marks end of arms embargo

On October 18, the global ban on the sale of conventional arms to Iran expired and opened the way for the Islamic Republic to import weapons, including warplanes and helicopter gunships, missiles, tanks, artillery and other weapon systems. The ban was imposed by UN Resolution 1929 in 2010. It was lifted as part of the 2015 nuclear deal – enshrined in UN resolution 2231 – as one of the incentives for Tehran to cooperate on its nuclear program. Iran was also allowed to export its domestically produced arms for the first time in a decade. 

Iran hailed the expiration of the arms embargo. “As of Sunday, we can purchase or sell arms from and to anyone we desire,” President Hassan Rouhani said. He noted that the United States had failed to extend the arms embargo in a new UN resolution. “Today is a momentous day for the international community ... in defiance of the US regime’s effort,” Iran’s foreign ministry said in a statement. In a tweet, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said “normalization of Iran’s defense cooperation with the world is a win for the cause of multilateralism and peace and security in our region.”

 In April, the Trump administration launched a diplomatic initiative at the United Nations to extend the embargo on the sale of conventional arms indefinitely. But on August 14, the Security Council roundly rejected the US resolution in one of the worst diplomatic defeats ever for Washington. Only two countries (the United States and the Dominican Republic) on the 15-member council voted for the resolution; two (Russia and China) rejected the resolution, and 11 nations abstained. To win passage, a Security Council resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes from the Council’s five permanent members – Britain, France, China, Russia and the United States. In September, after the UN vote, the United States unilaterally reimposed UN sanctions despite criticism for other world powers.

As the embargo expired in mid-October, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo threatened to sanction any individual or company that supports Iran’s conventional weapons program. “Any nation that sells weapons to Iran is impoverishing the Iranian people by enabling the regime’s diversion of funds away from the people and toward the regime’s military aims,” he warned in a statement.

“Today is a momentous day for the international community, which in defiance of the U.S. regime’s efforts, has protected UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). As of today, all restrictions on the transfer of arms, related activities and financial services to and from the Islamic Republic of Iran, and all prohibitions regarding the entry into or transit through territories of the United Nations Member States previously imposed on a number of Iranian citizens and military officials, are all automatically terminated.

In one of the JCPOA’s innovations, the definitive and unconditional termination of arms restrictions and travel bans requires no new resolution, nor does it require any statement or any other measure by the Security Council. The lifting of arms restrictions and the travel ban were designed to be automatic with no other action required. This was achieved after painstaking negotiations, and with a prescient anticipation of the possibility of a breach of obligations by one or more of the other parties to the JCPOA. The very same procedure is applied for the termination of missile-related restrictions in the year 2023, and the subsequent conclusion of ‘consideration of the Iranian nuclear issue’ in the Security Council in the year 2025.

“Therefore, as of today, the Islamic Republic of Iran may procure any necessary arms and equipment from any source without any legal restrictions and solely based on its defensive needs, and may also export defensive armaments based on its own policies. It should be underlined here that rejecting imposition in any form is the cornerstone of Iran’s foreign policy. Therefore, the imposition of any restriction on any field—including finance, the economy, energy, and armaments—has never been recognized by Iran.

“At the same time, Iran’s defense doctrine is premised on strong reliance on its people and indigenous capabilities. Ever since the eight-year imposed war on Iran by Saddam Hussein’s regime—during which the Iranian people were victims of sophisticated and lethal weapons provided to Saddam by the West while Iran was deprived of procuring even the most basic defensive weaponry—the Islamic Republic of Iran has provided for its defensive needs through indigenous capacities and capabilities.

This doctrine has been and will continue to be the principal driver behind all measures of the Islamic Republic of Iran in maintaining its strong defensive power. Unconventional arms, weapons of mass destruction and a buying spree of conventional arms have no place in Iran’s defense doctrine. The country’s deterrence stems from native knowledge and capability, as well as our people’s power and resilience.