Iran Will Not Trade Its National Security, Defense Capabilities, or Right to Progress
WANA (Dec 04) – Iran’s Parliament Speaker, Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, declared that the Islamic Republic “will never, under any circumstances, compromise its national security, defense capabilities, or legitimate right to progress.”
He emphasized that while Iran has repeatedly stated that “the doors of diplomacy are open,” genuine diplomacy can only succeed when based on mutual respect and shared interests, not coercion or threats.
Ghalibaf made the remarks at the meeting of the Standing Committee on Political Affairs of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) in Mashhad, describing it as a privilege to host representatives in a city that symbolizes spiritual heritage and national unity.
He said the presence of delegates reflected a collective determination to strengthen parliamentary cooperation across Asia, a continent with shared history, culture, and future prospects.
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Asia at a Historic Crossroads
Ghalibaf highlighted Asia’s historical and strategic significance, calling it “more than a geographic region” and emphasizing its deep cultural, economic, and political connections.
He said Asia possesses vast potential that, if harnessed with global and regional awareness and collective interests, can offer a new model of regional cooperation, becoming a center of innovation, economic growth, and global progress.
“The importance of Asia lies not just in its population or size, but also in its intellectual independence, cultural diversity, and the shared will of nations to pursue multilateralism,” he said.
According to Ghalibaf, Asia is entering a new historical chapter, where countries engage in dialogue rather than dictate terms, respecting the right of nations to determine their own futures and collaborate for justice and transformation.
Global Challenges and Double Standards
The parliament speaker warned that the world faces unprecedented challenges in security, peace, and sustainable development, including unilateralism, illegal sanctions, wars, occupation, and systemic human rights violations.
He cited organized genocides, particularly by Israel against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, as ongoing threats. He also mentioned racism, Islamophobia, anti-Iran sentiment in some Western countries, climate crises without accountability from major powers, and hidden or overt interference in sovereign nations as serious global threats.
“These challenges are not local issues but shared threats against all humanity and Asian nations,” Ghalibaf said. He criticized post-World War II international institutions, saying they often fail to maintain peace and have become tools for powerful countries. Asian nations, he noted, have historically been major victims of these double standards.
Emerging Threats
Ghalibaf also highlighted new challenges, including digital domination and data control, hybrid warfare, cognitive operations against independent governments, and using environmental or human rights pretexts to intervene in domestic affairs. He framed these threats alongside Asia’s immense capacities as a historic responsibility for the continent.
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Condemnation of Sanctions and Israeli Attack on Iran
He recalled that in recent decades, Iran has faced significant hostilities, including harsh sanctions, obstruction of peaceful scientific and nuclear advancements, and a direct Israeli attack in June 2025 on its nuclear and civilian facilities, supported by the U.S. during diplomatic talks. While some European governments backed the aggressor, 120 countries condemned the attack and supported Iran.
Ghalibaf said these actions showed that for certain Western states, negotiation is not a means of dialogue but a tool for deception, buying time, and exerting pressure.
“Iran will never compromise its national security, defense capability, or right to progress,” he emphasized. “Diplomacy has meaning only when rooted in mutual respect and shared interests.”
A woman looks at an ambulance burned by Israeli attacks on a street, amid the Iran-Israel conflict, in Tehran, Iran, June 23, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
Palestinian Crisis and Regional Stability
The speaker described recent events in Gaza as one of the most painful chapters of modern history, noting that since October 2023, nearly 70,000 Palestinians—mostly women and children—have been killed, representing a systematic genocide.
He also condemned Israeli attacks earlier this year that killed over a thousand Iranians and targeted Lebanon, Qatar, and Syria, calling them direct threats to regional peace.
Ghalibaf stressed Iran’s support for initiatives ending occupation and alleviating Palestinian suffering, while rejecting attempts to impose unjust peace agreements.
He underscored that any deal ignoring Palestinian justice is illegitimate and doomed to fail. Iran advocates a referendum including all original inhabitants of Palestine—Muslims, Christians, and Jews—as a fair and sustainable solution.
Medical staff attend a gathering to support Gaza following the Israeli strike on Nasser Hospital in Gaza, in Tehran, Iran, August 25, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
“The Asian Era Has Begun”
Ghalibaf announced that the era of domination by one or two global powers has ended. He stated that Asia is emerging as a decisive actor on the world stage, marking the beginning of an era of cooperation, justice, and mutual respect.
He called for a world where sanctions are not political tools, civilian killings are neither ignored nor justified, and nations’ peaceful nuclear rights are respected.
Strengthening the Asian Parliamentary Assembly
Ghalibaf emphasized that the APA cannot remain marginal and must enhance its international role. Iran is ready to assist in internationalizing the APA Secretariat, strengthening structures, securing resources, enhancing legal and political standing, and fostering multilateral cooperation.
He urged other Asian countries to join this transformative effort, stressing that the future of the APA is intertwined with the future of Asia and the world.
An anti-U.S. mural is seen on a building in Tehran, Iran, October 14, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
He concluded by calling for genuine, fair multilateralism as a foundation for a sustainable, just, and secure future. “We believe in a bright future, where an awakened and aware Asia will drive a fair global order,” Ghalibaf said.
The Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) political committee meeting began, with representatives from 15 countries participating in Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan Province, northeastern Iran.
The Thursday event has brought together 15 parliamentary delegations from across Asia, including Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Cambodia, China, Cyprus, Lebanon, Palestine, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, the UAE, and Uzbekistan.
