At the
outset, Mr. President, I would like to extend my sincere
congratulations on your well-deserved election as
the President of the General Assembly at its sixty-
ninth session. I also express my appreciation to His
Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon for all his efforts. It is
my genuine hope that this year’s session of the General
Assembly brings the world, in its current critical
situation, a step closer to security and tranquility for
human beings, which is of course a fundamental goal
of the United Nations.
I am from a region of the world whose many parts
are currently burning in the fire of extremism and
radicalism. To the east and to the west of my country,
extremists threaten our neighbours, resort to violence
and shed blood. They do not speak a single language;
they are not of a single skin colour and not of a single
nationality — they have come to the Middle East from
around the world. They do, however, have a single
ideology: violence and extremism. They also have a
single goal: the destruction of civilization, thus giving
rise to Islamophobia and creating a fertile ground for
further intervention of foreign forces in our region.
I deeply regret to say that terrorism has become
globalized from New York to Mosul, from Damascus
to Baghdad, from the easternmost to the westernmost
parts of the world, and from Al-Qaida to Daesh. The
extremists of the world have found each other and have
put out the call: “Extremists of the world, unite”. But
are we united against the extremists?
Extremism is not a regional issue with which only
the nations of our region have to grapple. Extremism
is a global issue. Certain States have helped to create
it and now fail to withstand it. Our peoples are
currently paying the price. Today’s anti-Westernism
is the offspring of yesterday’s colonialism. Today’s
anti-Westernism is a reaction to yesterday’s racism.
Certain intelligence agencies have put blades in the
hand of madmen, who now spare no one. All those that
have played a role in founding and supporting those
terror groups must acknowledge their errors that have
led to extremism. They need to apologize not only to
the past generations but also to the next.
To fight the underlying causes of terrorism, one
must identify its roots and dry up its sources. Terrorism
germinates in poverty, unemployment, discrimination,
humiliation and injustice, and it grows in the culture of
violence. To uproot extremism, we must spread justice
and development and not allow the distortion of divine
teachings to justify brutality and cruelty. The pain is
exacerbated when such terrorists spill blood in the
name of religion and behead in the name of Islam. They
seek to keep hidden the incontrovertible truth of history
that, on the basis of the teachings of all divine prophets,
from Abraham to Moses, from Jesus to Muhammad,
taking the life of a human being is akin to killing all
humankind.
I am astonished that those murderous groups call
themselves Islamic. What is more astonishing is that
the Western media, in line with them, repeat that
false claim, which provokes the hatred of all Muslims.
Muslim people, who daily recall their God as merciful
and compassionate and have learned the lessons of
kindness and empathy from their Prophet’s teachings,
see such defamation as part of an Islamophobic scheme.
The strategic blunders of the West in the Middle
East, Central Asia and the Caucuses have turned
those parts of the world into a haven for terrorists
and extremists. The military aggression against
Afghanistan and Iraq and inappropriate interference
in the developments in Syria are clear examples of
that erroneous strategic approach in the Middle East.
As part of a non-peaceful approach, aggression and
occupation target the lives and livelihoods of ordinary
people. They result in various adverse psychological
and behavioral consequences that are today manifested
in the form of violence and murder in the Middle East
and North Africa, even attracting some citizens from
other parts of the world.
Today, violence is being spread to other parts of
the world like a contagious disease. We have always
believed that democracy cannot be transplanted from
abroad. Democracy is the product of growth and
development, not war and aggression. Democracy is not
an export product that can be commercially imported
from the West to the East. In an underdeveloped
society, imported democracy leads only to a weak and
vulnerable Government.
When commanding generals set foot in a region,
do not expect diplomats to greet them warmly. When
war begins, diplomacy tends to end. When sanctions
set in, deep hatred for those imposing them also begins.
When the atmosphere of the Middle East becomes
securitized, there will be a similar response. The
interests of Western countries in our region are tied to
their recognition of beliefs and the desire of the people
for democratic governance in the region.
The establishment of Al-Qaida, the Taliban and
modern extremist groups has demonstrated that one
cannot use extremist groups to counter an opposing
State and remain impervious to the consequences of
rising extremism. The repetition of such mistakes,
despite the many costly experiences, is perplexing. Let
us recall that Iran had invited everyone to dialogue
before the criminal act of 11 September. We also called
for a world against violence and extremism before the
outbreak of the current violent atrocities.
In the past year, perhaps few people could have
forecast the fire that rages today, but now uninhibited
violence and extremism present an imminent threat to
the world. It is self-evident that without an accurate
understanding of the causes of the current situation,
we will not be able to find the right solutions. Today,
I shall again warn against the spread of extremism and
the danger posed by the inadequate understanding of
and incorrect approach to that phenomenon.
The Middle East longs for development and is
weary of war. It is the natural right of the peoples of
the fertile lands of the Middle East to live in peace and
prosperity. In the past, colonialism denied them that
right. Today, the shadow of war and violence threatens
their security.
There are moderate politicians and elites in our
region who enjoy the confidence of their peoples. They
are neither anti- nor pro-Western. Aware of the role of
colonialism in the backwardness of their nations, they
do not neglect the role of their nations in reaching the
development that they seek. They do not absolve the
West of its misdeeds, but they are also aware of their
own failings. Those leaders can assume positions of
active leadership by attracting the confidence of the
people in their societies and can establish the strongest
national and international coalitions against violence.
The voices of such leaders are the true voices of
moderation in the Islamic world. They represent the
familiar voice of an Afghan weary of war, of an Iraqi
victim of extremism, of a Syrian fearful of terrorism and
of a Lebanese worried about violence and sectarianism.
I believe that if countries that claim to lead the coalition
do so to continue their hegemony in the region, they
are making a strategic mistake. Obviously, since the
pain is better known by the countries of the region,
those countries can better form a coalition and agree to
shoulder the responsibility of leadership in countering
violence and terrorism. If other nations wish to take
action against terrorism, they must come to their support.
I warn that if we do not muster all our strengths against
extremism and violence, and if we fail to entrust the
task to those in the region who can succeed, tomorrow
the world will not be safe for anyone.
Last year I tried to fulfil my country’s role in
the realization of peace at both the regional and
international levels by putting forward a proposal about
a world against violence and extremism, which met with
general support. In the tumultuous and chaotic region
of the Middle East, Iran is one of the most tranquil,
secure and stable nations. All the nations of the region
have to keep in mind that we are in the same boat.
Thus, we need broad cooperation with regard to social
and political issues, as well as security and defence
issues, with a view to reaching common and durable
understandings. Had we had greater cooperation and
coordination in the Middle East, thousands of innocent
Palestinians in Gaza would not have fallen victim to the
aggressions of the Zionist regime.
We in the Islamic Republic of Iran consider
interaction and confidence-building among the States
of the region as fundamentally essential for conflict
resolution. We support any measure to promote
cooperation among Islamic nations to combat extremism
and threats and aggression, and in that connection we
are prepared to play our permanent constructive and
positive role.
The oppressive sanctions against Iran go on, in
continuation of a strategic mistake against a moderate
and independent nation in the current sensitive
conditions in our region. During the past year, we have
engaged in the most transparent possible dialogue to
build confidence regarding Iran’s peaceful nuclear
programme. We placed serious and honest negotiations
on the agenda, not as a result of sanctions or threats but
rather because of the will of our people. We are of the
view that the nuclear issue can be resolved only through
negotiation, and those who may think of other solutions
would be commiting a grave mistake. Any delay in
reaching final agreement only raises the costs — not
only for us but also for the economies and trade of
the other parties, as well as for the development and
security prospects of our region. No one should doubt
that compromise and agreement on that issue are in
everyone’s best interest, especially that of the nations
of the region.
The nuclear negotiations between Iran and the 5+1
Group have continued during the past year and the past
few months, with seriousness and optimism on both
sides. According to all international observers, the
Islamic Republic of Iran has carried out its commitments
in good faith. Although some of the observations and
actions of our counterparts have created certain doubts
regarding their determination and realism, we hope that
the current negotiations will lead to a final accord in
the short time that remains.
We are committed to continuing our peaceful
nuclear programme, including enrichment, and to
enjoy our full nuclear rights on Iranian soil within the
framework of international law. We are determined to
continue negotiations with our interlocutors in earnest
good faith and on an equal footing, based on mutual
respect and confidence and on recognized international
norms and principles, removing concerns of both
sides. I believe that mutual adherence to the strict
implementation of commitments and obligations and
avoidance of excessive demands in the negotiations by
our counterparts are the prerequisites for the success
of the negotiations. A final accord regarding Iran’s
peaceful nuclear programme can serve as the beginning
of multilateral collaboration aimed at promoting
security, peace and development in our region and
beyond.
The people of Iran, who have been subjected to
pressures especially during the past three years as a
result of continued sanctions, cannot trust any security
cooperation between their Government and those
who have imposed sanctions and created obstacles to
their ability to satisfy even their primary needs, such
as food and medicine. Sanctions only create further
impediments to long-term cooperation in the future.
The people of Iran are devoted to certain principles
and values, at the apex of which are independence,
development and national pride. If that obvious fact
about the nation is not understood by our negotiating
partners and they commit grievous miscalculations in
the process, a historic and exceptional opportunity will
be lost.
As the Assembly knows, during the ongoing nuclear
negotiations this year, the Iranian Government took
some initiatives that created favourable conditions,
which resulted in the new phase, the Geneva Joint
Plan of Action. We are determined to continue our
confidence-building approach and transparency in
that process. If our interlocutors are equally motivated
and flexible, and if we can overcome the problems
and reach long-standing agreement within the time
remaining, then an entirely different environment will
emerge for cooperation at the regional and international
levels. That would allow for greater focus on some very
important regional issues such as combating violence
and extremism in the region.
Arriving at a final, comprehensive nuclear
agreement with Iran will be an historic opportunity for
the West to show that it does not oppose the advancement
and development of others and does not discriminate
when it comes to adhering to international rules and
regulations. Such an agreement could bear a global
message of peace and security, indicating that the only
way to attain conflict resolution is through negotiation
and respect, not through conflict and sanctions.
Last year, the great nation of Iran broadly
participated in the calm and impressive presidential
election and endorsed the discourse of foresight, hope
and prudent moderation. Thereafter, they support their
elected Government in its effort in building the country.
While some of Iran’s neighbours have fallen prey to
war and turmoil, Iran remains secure, stable and calm.
My Government’s principled policy is to work
towards constructive interactions with our neighbors
on the basis of mutual respect and with emphasis on
common interests. The notion that Iran seeks to control
other Muslim countries in the region is a myth fanned
in recent years in the context of an Iranophobic project.
Those who make such claims need imaginary enemies
to sustain tensions and sow division and conflict,
thereby pushing for the redeployment of national
resources away from development. We work to put an
end to delusional Iranophobia, setting the stage for
building strategic partnerships with our neighbours.
Last year I warned against the expansion of violence
and extremism. This year too I warn that if the right
approach is not taken in dealing with the issue at hand,
we will get closer to having a turbulent and tumultuous
region with repercussions for the whole world. The
right solution to that quandary comes from within
the region, not from outside, and must be a regionally
provided solution with international support.
In the Holy Koran, God the Almighty has promised
those who have believed and done righteous deeds that
He will surely grant them succession to authority upon
the Earth and that their fears will turn into peace and
security. It is my sincerest hope that our generation will
endeavour to leave a more secure and developed Earth
as its legacy for the next generation. I wish all present
much success and many blessings.