Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday that countries in the region could maintain peace and security through mutual cooperation without relying on the United States or other external powers.
Speaking at an event marking a local holiday, Pezeshkian called for stronger relations among neighbouring countries, emphasising shared interests and regional solidarity.
“We are brothers with all the countries around us, and we are all Muslims. Therefore, we can help one another and ensure the security of our region,” he said, according to a statement issued by the Iranian presidency.
“Regional countries do not need the US to come from the other side of the world under the pretext of providing security,” he added.
The Iranian president also criticised Washington’s military expenditure and accused the United States of committing violations while portraying its military presence as essential to regional stability.
His remarks come against the backdrop of continuing tensions between Tehran and Washington following the outbreak of conflict on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran.
Tehran subsequently retaliated with strikes against Israel and locations in Arab countries that it identified as American military positions.
On June 18, Washington and Tehran signed a framework agreement and subsequently entered negotiations aimed at addressing their differences.
However, the discussions later broke down over disagreements concerning freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important waterway through which substantial volumes of global energy supplies and commercial shipments pass.
Pezeshkian’s latest comments underscore Tehran’s stated preference for a regional security arrangement based on cooperation among neighbouring states rather than the involvement of outside military powers.