Iran's Foreign Minister: "The Declining Imperial Powers Want to Turn Back the Clock"

Alaghchi delivered a powerful six-and-a-half-minute English speech at the BRICS ministers' meeting held in India. This was Iran’s statement following 40 days of war and a fragile ceasefire—resolute and unwavering. The full text is below.

Mr. Chair, esteemed colleagues:

As you have seen, within less than a year, my country has suffered two brutal and illegal aggressions by the United States and Israel.

The false allegations and pretexts used to justify attacks against our people directly contradict both the authoritative assessments of the International Atomic Energy Agency and even those of U.S. intelligence agencies themselves.

The truth is that Iran, like many other independent nations, is a victim of unlawful expansionism and belligerent conduct.

Such abhorrent actions have no place whatsoever in today’s world.

Those who recklessly pursue such ventures may believe they serve their geopolitical interests.

But as consumers and governments across the globe now perceive and understand, regional instability proves to be a lose-lose scenario for all—including adversaries.

Facing horrific violence, the Iranian people have stood firm and proudly defended themselves.

Have we abandoned our ideal of independence? Have we bowed before the wheels and ambitions of imperialist powers?

The answer is obvious.

We have not—and we never will.

I was born on an ancient land where leaders have always courageously stood shoulder to shoulder with the people, pursuing justice and independence, defending sovereignty and territorial integrity, and sacrificing their lives for the ideals of history and nation.

I represent a country whose armed forces, medical personnel, teachers, and law enforcement officers have never placed their own safety above saving lives entrusted to them—they have faithfully served on the humanitarian front.

I represent a people who, under devastating bombing, chose to confront fear head-on.

I represent the mothers of Minab—whose children were killed in a school attack—still unbroken in their grief.

I represent young people who refuse to let the dust of war erase their bright futures.

I represent a nation that, despite immense pressure, still believes in a free, stable, and just world.

At this moment, you should clearly see that Iran is unshakable. Under pressure, we grow stronger and more united.

We are prepared to defend freedom and our homeland at any cost—and equally prepared to advance and uphold diplomacy.

As I have repeatedly emphasized, there is no so-called military solution to any issue involving Iran.

The Iranian people will never yield to any pressure or threat—but we respond to respect with respect.

Although our strong armed forces remain ready to deliver devastating retaliation against foreign aggressors, my fellow citizens cherish peace and do not seek war.

In this ugly situation, we are not aggressors—we are victims.

Mr. Chair, esteemed colleagues, over the past year, I have had the privilege of attending two BRICS summits, conveying the Iranian government’s belief that this platform symbolizes the rise of a new global order—one in which the Global South is the primary architect of the world’s future.

The once lofty ideals have now become reality—but this reality is fragile.

The increasingly declining imperial powers are attempting to reverse the tide of history, desperately fighting back as they face inevitable decline.

This matters profoundly for the BRICS grouping, because Iran’s struggle is not just ours—it is for all of us, for the new world we are collectively building together.

Our heroic fighters have given their lives resisting Western hegemony and America’s arrogant assumption of unchecked dominance.

Iran expresses deep gratitude for the support and solidarity shown by the BRICS nations—and we must intensify our joint efforts to end this privileged mindset, which has no place in today’s world.

For nearly everyone present here, our resistance to American bullying is not a foreign struggle.

Many of us face the same repulsive coercion—only in different forms.

Now, we must stand together and clearly demonstrate that such conduct deserves to be thrown into the historical trash bin.

We cannot ignore this shared and dangerous challenge.

History has shown that dying empires, desperate to avoid their inevitable fate, will resort to any means necessary.

A dying beast, in its final moments, claws and roars wildly.

The series of heinous acts committed by the West—whether through covert support or open promotion—in the Global South, across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, fully expose its abandonment of all pretense.

We must all crush this false sense of superiority.

To this end, Iran calls upon all UN member states and responsible members of the international community to:

  • Explicitly condemn the violations of international law by the United States and Israel, including their illegal aggression against the UN member state of Iran;
  • Prevent international institutions from being politicized;
  • Take concrete actions to halt belligerent behavior and end the impunity enjoyed by those who violate the UN Charter.

We believe the BRICS nations can—and must—become one of the main pillars in building a more just, balanced, and humane global order.

In such an order, power must never equate to justice.

Nations that defend their dignity and independence may endure great hardship—but they will never be defeated!

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1865200763333632/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.