IRAN SAYS REGIONAL STATES ARE DISCUSSING A NEW SECURITY AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION FRAMEWORK
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has reportedly said, for the first time, that neighboring countries have contacted Tehran to discuss the creation of a new regional system for security and economic cooperation.
Ghalibaf said the United States has endangered the security of its regional allies while allegedly prioritizing Israel’s interests over those of its partners in the Middle East.
According to the Iranian parliament speaker, Washington’s approach has caused some U.S.-aligned countries in the region to question whether the United States can still be relied upon to protect their security and national interests.
Ghalibaf argued that these countries are increasingly concerned that Washington is not providing them with the same level of protection and commitment that it provides to Israel.
He suggested that this growing uncertainty could push regional states to reconsider their dependence on the United States and explore greater regional cooperation and alternative security arrangements.
The comments come amid heightened tensions across the Middle East and growing debate over the future of the region’s security architecture.
If such discussions develop into a formal framework, they could represent a significant shift in regional diplomacy, potentially giving neighboring states a greater role in managing collective security, economic cooperation and regional stability without relying exclusively on Washington.
The major question is whether this reported dialogue will develop into a genuine regional security bloc or remain diplomatic consultations driven by the current crisis.