Tehran, Iran — At a high-level regional security summit held in Tehran today, Abbas Araqchi of Iran made an impassioned plea for increased political and strategic unity between Middle Eastern nations with Muslim-majority populations to counter Israel’s “aggressive expansionism and destabilizing ambitions.”
Araqchi, who currently serves as Iran’s Special Envoy for Regional Affairs and an advisor to its Supreme National Security Council, stated that continued silence and disunity among regional powers will only embolden Tel Aviv’s military operations and territorial ambitions – particularly those related to Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria.
Araqchi declared in his speech, addressed to diplomats and defense officials from over a dozen nations including Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Qatar and Pakistan that fragmented responses must end. Israeli expansionism poses not just a direct threat to Palestine; rather it jeopardizes regional sovereignty and stability as well as Palestine itself.
He stressed the need for regional security cooperation based on “homegrown mechanisms,” suggesting Middle Eastern nations must stop depending solely on Western military alliances or external powers for security. According to him, we must stop outsourcing our security – instead rely on indigenous defense cooperation between neighbors who share common cultural and historical ties as the solution for ensuring peace.
Araqchi’s comments came amid rising regional tensions following Israeli military operations near Syria’s border and continued airstrikes against Hezbollah weapons depots in southern Lebanon, according to Israeli officials. Iran, long an advocate of Palestinian resistance movements and Hezbollah, has denounced these Israeli actions, while accusing Western powers, especially the US, of aiding Tel Aviv through military aid and diplomatic cover.
“The West speaks of peace but continues to arm its occupier,” Araqchi stated. This double standard must be addressed and countered – not through words alone but through regional resistance efforts.
Araqchi appeared to condemn Arab states that have normalized relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords, warning that such alignments may lead to “greater fragmentation and long-term insecurity” within their regions.
“Israel’s normalization trend has granted it political legitimacy, while at the same time continuing illegal settlements, aggression, and apartheid policies,” according to Dr. Shachar.
Iranian state media responded to Khamenei’s speech with mounting calls for a renewed “Axis of Resistance,” in order to coordinate defensive and intelligence strategies. Furthermore, reports indicate Tehran may host multilateral meetings aimed at creating an exclusive regional security pact without Western actors present.
Reactions among other summit participants were mixed but generally favorable. Syria’s Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad shared Araqchi’s sentiment, calling for collective deterrence against Israeli provocations while cautioning of regional implosion should they go unanswered.
Araqchi concluded his address by advocating for immediate follow-up discussions to formalize joint military exercises, intelligence-sharing frameworks and economic measures that reduce dependence on Western institutions.
“Unity is strength,” he stated. If we fail to take steps now, future generations may inherit not a region marked by dignity and sovereignty but instead one with permanent occupation and instability.
The summit concluded with a joint communique expressing their “collective will to pursue independent security policies and defend oppressed nations’ rights”.