Tehran: Deputy Chief of Judiciary for International Affairs, Nasser Seraj, has emphasized the need for regional cooperation in the fight against terrorism, extremism, and violence. Seraj made the remarks in a meeting with the Ambassador of Uzbekistan, Fariddin Nasriyev, where he referred to extensive cooperation between Tehran and Tashkent in various fields, especially in the legal and judicial affairs.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Seraj stated that regional collaboration helps in eradicating extremist and terrorist elements. He highlighted that such cooperation, along with bilateral legal and judicial ties, holds particular importance for respecting, guaranteeing, and developing international law. He referred to the recent unrest in Iran, noting that peaceful protests on legitimate demands were intentionally turned into terrorism, violence, and extremism by foreign-backed elements, resulting in the deaths and martyrdom of over 3,000 people, as well as the destruction and burning of places such as mosques, police stations, banks, libraries, and stores.

Seraj asserted that what the world witnessed in Iran last month was the result of intolerance toward independent countries by those who do not accept anyone other than themselves. In his remarks, he described the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as a platform for combating extremism and terrorism, as well as for confronting the unilateralism pursued by certain countries.

Seraj also mentioned the upcoming 21st meeting of the Supreme Court Chief Justices of member and associated member states of the SCO, set to be held in Tehran this year. He noted that some goals of the meeting would include consolidating judicial mechanisms on regional security and combating terrorism, crimes by utilizing new technologies, deepening cooperation in the field of economic security, and confronting illegal unilateral sanctions.

The Uzbek envoy, Fariddin Nasriyev, emphasized the friendly relations between Tehran and Tashkent and said that bilateral cooperation between the two countries has been growing in various fields, reaffirming his country's commitment to judicial cooperation. Nasriyev also informed that Bakhtiyor Anvarovich Islamov, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, would attend the meeting of the Chief Justices of the SCO members in Tehran.