Brig. General Nasirzadeh: Combating Terrorism Requires Global Unity and Cooperation

Pars Today – The Iranian Minister of Defense stated that the fight against terrorism is not solely a military or security matter and emphasized that it requires global unity, cooperation, and the adoption of comprehensive, multi-dimensional strategies.

According to Pars Today, citing Mehr News Agency, Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh, Iran’s Minister of Defense, addressed the meeting of defense ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, saying:

“The Zionist regime, as an occupying entity, has throughout its dark history been a source of insecurity, terrorism, violence, crime, and genocide in the region. The massacres of innocent civilians in Palestine and Lebanon, especially over the past two years, are clear examples of these actions.”

He further stated:

“The criminal U.S. has developed special plans for each independent nation and tries in various ways to deprive active and influential countries of their rights and eliminate them. In this context, the aggressor country carried out a disgraceful attack on three of our nuclear facilities in the early hours of June 22, in blatant violation of the UN Charter and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), effectively nullifying all its international obligations.”

Nasirzadeh emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran believes that strengthening comprehensive defense and military cooperation among SCO members can play a key role in achieving regional and global peace and stability, as well as in confronting common threats such as terrorism, extremism, and separatism. He reaffirmed Iran’s full readiness to pursue these objectives within the SCO framework.

The Iranian Defense Minister added:

“Terrorism and extremism, as major challenges of today’s world, are shared threats that do not recognize national borders.”

Today, at the strategic level, we are witnessing terrorism moving beyond its traditional forms, taking on new shapes and methods, and being used by certain arrogant powers as a tool in modern hybrid warfare.

Nasirzadeh emphasized:

“We believe that the fight against terrorism cannot be addressed solely through military and security measures. This struggle requires global unity and cooperation, as well as comprehensive and multidimensional strategies that target the roots of extremism in poverty, ignorance, discrimination, and prejudice.”

The Iranian Defense Minister emphasized:

“One form of new terrorism is economic terrorism, carried out by the regime of domination against some members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization through unilateral sanctions and the imposition of heavy tariffs, violating international trade laws and norms. The Islamic Republic of Iran possesses significant experience in combating terrorism in military, security, and economic fields.”

I firmly emphasize that the military intervention and aggression of the United States against Iran have created conditions for the expansion of crisis, insecurity, and instability throughout the entire region—and indeed the world—across various dimensions and sectors. Over the past decades, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been one of the main pillars of security, balance, and stability in West Asia, and undoubtedly, any insecurity in Iran will lead to insecurity throughout the whole region.

Nasirzadeh added:

“In such a turbulent and arrogant environment, organizations like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization can serve as a suitable alternative for resolving international issues. Based on their established goals to counter American hegemony, they should act more actively and unite more than ever to take serious practical and executive measures.”

The Iranian Defense Minister stated:

“The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that by strengthening comprehensive defense and military cooperation among Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states, a significant step can be taken toward regional and global peace and stability, as well as in confronting common threats such as terrorism, extremism, and separatism. The Islamic Republic of Iran declares its full readiness to help achieve these objectives within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.”

MG/BK