Iran calls attention to Israeli threat at ECO summit; urges unity

Speaking at the 17th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit in the Azerbaijani city of Khankendi on Friday, Pezeshkian condemned Israel’s criminal acts, which targeted military forces, university professors, ordinary citizens, peaceful nuclear facilities under international oversight, and public infrastructure. 

Pezeshkian described the 12-day Israeli strikes with American support as clear breaches of the United Nations Charter, including Article 2, paragraph 4, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.

“In this war, the Iranian armed forces, in line with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, legitimately defended the country’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty, teaching the aggressors a decisive lesson, and preventing the spread of war throughout the region,” he said.

The president praised ECO member countries and the regional countries for their support and condemnation of Israel’s aggression, emphasizing the importance of regional solidarity in the face of external threats.

“Many international and regional organizations, including the Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Islamic Countries, decisively condemned the Zionist regime’s attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said.

“The 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization is also a valuable opportunity to once again bring recent acts of aggression—and the regional and global threats they pose—to the attention of the international community,” he added.

Heads of state and other officials pose for a group photo at the 17th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit in Khankendi Friday.

President Pezeshkian stressed the role of ECO as a foundation for regional economic strength and cooperation. He urged member states to build on this unity by advancing trade, improving transit routes, and embracing new technologies to create a prosperous and resilient region.

Pezeshkian also addressed ECO’s role in regional development, noting that while the organization has made progress since its founding in 1964 by Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey, challenges remain. 

He highlighted the need to expand intra-regional trade, currently at only 8 percent, far below targeted goals. He called for renewed efforts to finalize and implement the ECO trade agreement and urged the launch of negotiations to establish a free trade zone by 2035.

The current trade agreement, Pezeshkian said, requires revision and modernization. "As it stands, it will not meet the economic demands of our member countries in the coming 10 years,” he said.

Improving transit and transportation infrastructure is another priority, especially to facilitate access for the seven landlocked member states to global markets.

“We must provide new privileges at entry and exit points for landlocked countries to improve trade and transit efficiency,” Pezeshkian said.

The president also highlighted the growing importance of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, proposing the creation of an ECO regional center specializing in AI to boost cooperation and competitiveness.

Tourism was noted as another promising sector to drive growth across ECO countries, with Pezeshkian encouraging further investment in the region’s rich cultural and natural heritage.

President Pezeshkian emphasized the importance of resilience in the face of past crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring the need for both national and regional preparedness against future challenges.

“The ECO organization provides effective frameworks to promote regional and collective resilience,” Pezeshkian said. “Our 2035 Vision must seriously address these issues to ensure sustainable growth and stability across member states.”

The 17th ECO Summit brought together heads of state and government officials to reinforce cooperation and chart a vision for peace, prosperity, and stability in Central and South Asia, the Caucasus, and West Asia.