Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran's policies are based on the principle that regional security must be ensured by the region's own countries [1, 2].
This position signals Tehran's desire to reduce the influence of non-regional actors—primarily the U.S.—in Middle East security architecture while framing Iran as a partner for stability.
Speaking in Tehran, Ghalibaf said that nations within the region can establish sustainable security without external interference [1]. He said that this approach relies on mutual cooperation, and respect for national sovereignty [1, 2].
As part of this framework for regional stability, Ghalibaf highlighted the necessity of a ceasefire in Lebanon [1, 2]. He said that achieving a cessation of hostilities there is a critical component of a broader, sustainable peace for the area [2].
Despite these calls for cooperation, Ghalibaf expressed skepticism regarding the intentions of adversaries. He said, "The enemy shows intentions to negotiate publicly, while planning a ground attack in secret" [3]. This warning comes as the conflict has persisted for approximately one month [4].
Ghalibaf said that Iran possesses the goodwill required to reach a lasting peace [2]. However, the contradiction between his call for regional autonomy and his warnings of secret foreign military planning suggests a volatile security environment in Tehran's view [1, 3].
“Regional countries can create sustainable security for the region without external interference.”
Ghalibaf's statements reflect a strategic effort by Iran to position itself as a primary architect of regional security, challenging the traditional reliance on Western military umbrellas. By linking the stability of the broader region to a ceasefire in Lebanon, Tehran is asserting its influence over the Levant while simultaneously signaling that it views external military interventions as the primary obstacle to peace.
