Ashgabat: President Masoud Pezeshkian says the Islamic Republic of Iran, as part of the international community, strongly believes that real peace can be achieved by rejecting unilateralism.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Pezeshkian delivered a speech at the International Forum dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust (2025), the International Day of Neutrality, and the 30th Anniversary of the Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan, which took place in Ashgabat on Friday.

In his speech, Pezeshkian stated, “The Islamic Republic of Iran, as a responsible member of the international community, firmly believes that peace and development can only be achieved through equal dialogue, collective cooperation, adherence to international law and the United Nations Charter, and the avoidance of unilateralism.”

He further noted, “Today, peace, rather than being a universal right, has become a privilege that exists only in specific geographies.”

Emphasizing the need to rethink the concept of peace in today’s world, the president asserted that real peace cannot be achieved through military build-ups, hard alliances, or symbolic diplomacy, but requires confronting the underlying causes of instability, such as inequality, monopolization, and discrimination.

Pezeshkian criticized the policies of major powers in West Asia for effectively creating a “special status” for the Israeli regime, which he identified as the source of many regional wars and injustices.

He highlighted the aggressive actions of the Zionist regime, including repeated crimes in Gaza, illegal settlements in the West Bank, and attacks on Syria, Lebanon, Iran, and Qatar.

He argued that these actions are a direct consequence of global power monopolies and double standards that grant the Israeli regime security exceptionalism.

Referring to the June attack on Iran by the Israeli regime, which resulted in the loss of hundreds of innocent lives, Pezeshkian criticized the lack of international punishment and the political and military support Israel received from powers claiming to uphold human rights and global peace.

As long as the Zionist regime enjoys such privileges, he said, it is impossible to speak of true peace and fair international order.

Pezeshkian then called on all countries to take responsibility by promoting regional initiatives, actively participating in international organizations, and practicing principled, multilateral, and ethical diplomacy to ensure that the world is not dictated solely by the interests of major powers.

The president concluded by appreciating Turkmenistan for its hospitality and leadership in advancing the discourse on peace and security.