Iran’s President Pezeshkian Rejects ‘External Guardianship,’ Calls for Regional Autonomy Amid Diplomatic Push
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued a stern rejection of foreign intervention in the Middle East, declaring that regional nations possess the capacity to resolve their own security and political affairs without “external guardianship.” In a statement underscoring Tehran’s continued pivot toward regional integration, Pezeshkian praised growing cooperation among a broad coalition of neighbors, including Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
The President’s comments mark a continuation of the “neighborhood policy” strategy, designed to offset the impact of Western sanctions by deepening economic and security ties with immediate neighbors. This diplomatic stance builds upon the momentum generated by the landmark March 2023 rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia, a deal brokered by China that ended seven years of formal diplomatic severance. By highlighting partners ranging from the Gulf monarchies to the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan, Pezeshkian is signaling a pragmatic approach that prioritizes stability and trade routes over ideological rigidity. The inclusion of Azerbaijan is particularly notable, suggesting a desire to de-escalate tensions in the South Caucasus despite recent friction over Israel’s influence in Baku.
However, the vision of a self-governing regional security architecture faces substantial skepticism and logistical hurdles. While diplomatic rhetoric has softened, deep-seated mistrust persists. Several of the nations cited by Pezeshkian, particularly within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), maintain strong defense treaties with the United States and host significant American military assets as a hedge against potential Iranian aggression. Furthermore, conflicting interests in theaters such as Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon continue to strain relations. Critics argue that as long as the region remains divided on the role of non-state actors and proxy groups, the removal of “external” security guarantors remains a distant prospect for many Arab capitals.
Despite these geopolitical complexities, Pezeshkian’s message serves as a clear challenge to the traditional Western-led security order in the Persian Gulf. By advocating for a collective reliance on regional power centers like Ankara, Riyadh, and Islamabad, Tehran is attempting to foster a multipolar environment where local consensus supersedes Western influence.
