WANA (Jul 04) – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran’s armed forces acted within their right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, delivering a decisive and unforgettable response to the aggressors.

 

Speaking at the 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in Azerbaijan, Pezeshkian condemned the recent Israeli attacks, stating, “While negotiations were ongoing, the Israeli regime launched brutal acts of aggression against us.”

 

He described the attacks as a “clear and gross violation” of international law, particularly Article 2, Paragraph 4 of the UN Charter, and noted that the assault continued with the support of the “aggressive U.S. military.”

 

Pezeshkian detailed the 12-day offensive, which he said included “criminal acts targeting off-duty military personnel, university professors, civilians, peaceful nuclear facilities under IAEA supervision, and key public infrastructure,” causing widespread human and material damage.

 

Regional Responses Praised

The Iranian president praised the “responsible positions” taken by regional states, especially ECO members, in the wake of the crisis. He cited strong condemnations issued by various regional and international organizations, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s recent meeting of foreign ministers.

 

ECO 2035 Vision Must Be Clear and Achievable

Turning to economic cooperation, Pezeshkian stressed that the ECO Vision 2035 must lay out “clear and achievable goals,” with intra-regional trade as a central benchmark. He expressed concern that the current level of intra-ECO trade, standing at just 8%, is “unjustifiable,” and noted that the bloc has yet to achieve its 2025 goal of establishing a free trade area.

 

“Iran and other member states located along transit corridors can play a key role,” he added, proposing the provision of new preferences and facilities at ports and border crossings.

 

Tourism and Connectivity

Pezeshkian also highlighted the tourism potential of the ECO region, calling for efforts to position it as a “diverse destination for all preferences” by 2035.

 

He emphasized that establishing direct flights between member countries should be a “serious priority,” and called for streamlined visa issuance and the digitization of tourism services to foster deeper regional integration.

 

Call for a Regional AI Center

In closing, Pezeshkian addressed the need for technological advancement, stating that modern ICT and artificial intelligence are driving deep transformations in economies worldwide.

 

“To harness these technologies, ECO countries must be prepared,” he said, proposing the creation of an ECO Artificial Intelligence Center as a specialized regional hub for innovation.