WANA (Aug 05) – Iran’s First Vice President stated that Iran is pursuing compensation for the material and moral damages caused by the Israeli regime and the United States’ aggression against its people and development infrastructure through international legal institutions.

 

Mohammad Reza Aref, speaking this afternoon at the Conference of Landlocked Developing Countries in the city of Awaza, Turkmenistan, stated:

 

“Today, I am attending this conference as the representative of the peace-loving and resilient people of the Islamic Republic of Iran. On the dawn of June 13, 2025, the Islamic Republic of Iran was subjected to unlawful aggression by the Israeli regime with the support of the United States. In the 12 days of illegal aggression, 1,100 people lost their lives and 5,750 were injured.”

 

He continued: “This unjust act was condemned by many countries and regional organizations. However, unfortunately, some countries, instead of condemning the aggression, supported the aggressor and the dirty actions of this regime. The United States, by supporting the Zionist regime and even directly intervening in this aggression and attacking Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities, destroyed the negotiating table and once again proved the global distrust in America’s commitments.”

 

The First Vice President added: “Iran has never been the initiator of war, but it has confronted the aggressor with full force and defended its territorial integrity. It is pursuing compensation for the material and moral damages caused by the aggressions of the Zionist regime and the United States against its people and the country’s development infrastructure through international legal and judicial bodies.”

 

The full text of Mohammad Reza Aref’s speech at the Third Conference of Landlocked Developing Countries is as follows:

 

“In the name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

 

Your Excellency Mr. Serdar Berdimuhamedow, Honorable President of Turkmenistan;

Your Excellency Mr. Guterres, Honorable Secretary-General of the United Nations;

Distinguished Guests;

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

First of all, I deem it necessary to express my gratitude to the government and people of Turkmenistan for their hospitality and for hosting this important international conference.

 

Today, I am participating in this conference as the representative of the peace-loving and resilient people of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

 

On the dawn of June 13, 2025, the Islamic Republic of Iran was subjected to military aggression by the illegitimate Zionist regime with the support of the United States. Over the course of 12 days of illegal military aggression, 1,100 people — including 45 children and 132 women — lost their lives, and 5,750 were injured. This unjust act was condemned by many countries and regional organizations; however, unfortunately, some countries, instead of condemning the aggression, supported the aggressor and the vile actions of the Zionist regime.

 

The United States, by supporting the Zionist regime and even directly intervening in the aggression and attacking the peaceful nuclear facilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran — while the sixth round of negotiations between Iran and the U.S. was being planned — destroyed the negotiation table and once again reaffirmed global distrust in America’s commitments.

 

The Islamic Republic of Iran has never been the initiator of war, but it will confront the aggressor with full force and defend its territorial integrity. It is pursuing compensation for the material and moral damages caused by the aggressions of the Zionist regime and the U.S. against the Iranian people and the country’s development infrastructure through legal and international judicial channels.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

One-fourth of the world’s 32 landlocked developing countries — that is, 8 countries, namely: the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan — have close bilateral and multilateral transit interactions with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

 

Iran’s access to open waters and its proximity to several landlocked countries have created valuable mutual opportunities. Our deep-rooted civilizational and cultural ties have fostered solidarity and unity among the nations of the region. For centuries, the people of these countries have enjoyed extensive economic, commercial, and cultural exchanges, as well as peaceful coexistence.

 

Iran and other regional transit countries bear part of the international community’s responsibility to reduce the vulnerability of landlocked countries and help them decrease trade costs and achieve easier access to global markets.

 

The Islamic Republic of Iran, through the development of its transportation infrastructure, has created the necessary conditions for its neighbors to benefit from this capacity in order to facilitate trade, foster economic development, access global markets, and achieve sustainable growth.

 

Iran plays a central and strategic role as a transit country connecting the three continents of Asia, Africa, and Europe. Its unique and strategic geographical location has enabled landlocked countries in the region to gain access to open waters and expand their trade. In this context, strengthening transport corridors through Iran along north–south and east–west routes has been among the country’s key development priorities, with vast resources allocated to expanding its transportation infrastructure.

 

Thanks to ongoing investments, Iran now possesses:

 

  • 15,000 kilometers of railway network
  • Over 250,000 kilometers of various roadways
  • 16 commercial sea ports in the north and south of the country
  • More than 167 customs centers nationwide
  • Over 54 commercial airports

 

These facilities are ready to provide transport and logistics cooperation with regional countries, especially neighbors and landlocked states. We welcome both joint and independent foreign investments in this sector.

 

Distinguished Guests,

 

Regional and international cooperation, alongside these capacities, offers enormous opportunities for the development of transport and transit in the region. Expanding border cooperation and joint investments will trigger a boom in transit and strengthen regional interdependence, resulting in the development and reinforcement of collective security for all.

 

Last year, Iran reached a record 20 million tons of transit cargo. This achievement was the result of close cooperation with regional countries. Iran has expedited and simplified the transit process by implementing digital management systems and electronic exchange of transport documents. Customs cooperation and reduced clearance times have also been key focus areas.

 

Another notable initiative is the development of a roadmap for transportation cooperation with landlocked countries in the region, which can further strengthen these partnerships.

 

Mr. President,

 

Fortunately, at the international level and in global forums, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Turkmenistan have maintained good cooperation aimed at promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region.

 

Iran supports Turkmenistan’s policy of neutrality, which can provide an effective opportunity for resolving regional and international disputes.

 

With access to open waters via the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Indian Ocean — and Turkmenistan serving as a gateway to Central Asia and the Caucasus — both countries play a vital role in the transit of goods and energy for landlocked states.

 

The existence of transit ports like Chabahar and Bandar Abbas, along with international road and rail corridors stretching north to south and east to west, allow countries in the region to connect to global markets. In this regard, we are prepared to establish logistics and transit centers for these countries at Iran’s southern ports.

 

The Islamic Republic of Iran, through multilateral cooperation frameworks such as ECO (Economic Cooperation Organization), the Ashgabat Agreement, the Eurasian Economic Union, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and other regional and international multilateral agreements, is actively working with Central Asian and Caucasus countries to help create favorable conditions for sustainable development in the transport sector.

 

Iran’s approach to regional and international connectivity is based on engagement and cooperation, and it avoids any form of rivalry. This approach is in line with the spirit of the “Vienna and Awaza Programmes of Action” concerning landlocked developing countries.

 

Honorable Delegates,

 

Global challenges are interconnected, and countries at different stages of development cannot confront them alone. Addressing these issues requires collective, regional, and international cooperation. Multilateralism is a fundamental principle in international relations and a prerequisite for achieving shared human goals.

 

The Islamic Republic of Iran, while emphasizing the importance of multilateralism, views unilateral coercive measures and cruel sanctions as obstacles to the nations’ right to development. We commend the stance of independent countries that have refused to support such illegal and inhumane actions.

 

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

In conclusion, I would like to point to the most isolated region on Earth: the Gaza Strip.

 

Gaza remains a symbol of resistance and oppression, a truth once again demonstrated through the astonishing and tireless perseverance of its men, women, and children amid 22 months of crimes committed by the terrorist Zionist regime.

 

During this period, the criminal Zionists have not refrained from any means — even the shameless imposition of forced thirst and hunger upon the defenseless people of Gaza. Yet, as always, they have failed to break their iron will.

 

Attacking lines of starving people waiting for a piece of bread, a sip of water, or humanitarian aid is a clear example of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

 

The international community and self-proclaimed defenders of human rights must be held accountable for the bloodshed of thousands of innocent people in death traps set up by the U.S. and the Zionist regime at aid distribution centers, and for the deaths of hundreds of children, women, and the elderly due to shortages of medicine, food, and water in Gaza.

 

History — and the awakened conscience of humanity — will rightfully judge this inaction. We must take collective action today to break the siege of Gaza, for tomorrow will be too late.”