In the hall of the Tehran Summit, representatives from ten countries gathered, continuing a meeting that had been interrupted for 15 years, signaling Iran’s return to the international stage as a hub of regional cooperation.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian shook hands warmly with Tajikistan’s Minister of Internal Affairs Ramazan Rahimzoda at the ECO Interior Ministers meeting. With a smile, he proposed a bold vision: “Based on the region’s religious and cultural ties, we can create favorable conditions for exchanges and remove communication barriers; we can even explore establishing a common currency for the region to promote economic development.“
This proposal was made during the Fourth Interior Ministers Meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) member states held in Tehran from October 27 to 28.
01 Restarting Regional Diplomacy: Iran Proactively Expands Cooperation Space
The Fourth Interior Ministers Meeting of ECO member states reconvened in the Tehran Summit Hall after a 15-year hiatus.
The personal attendance of Iranian President Pezeshkian demonstrated the high importance Iran places on this meeting.
Ministers and senior officials from ten member countries including Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Kazakhstan participated.
Meanwhile, the Secretary-General of the Economic Cooperation Organization, Oman’s Minister of Interior, and Iraq’s Deputy Minister of Interior also attended as special guests.
Judging by the participants, this was not just a routine regional cooperation meeting but an important measure for Iran to break through diplomatic isolation.
Against the backdrop of a stalemate on the nuclear issue and continuously tense relations with the West, Iran is seeking diplomatic breakthroughs by proactively expanding regional cooperation space.
02 Religious and Cultural Bonds: The Foundation of Iran’s Regional Strategy
Pezeshkian repeatedly emphasized the religious and cultural connections of the region during the meeting, considering them an important foundation for deepening regional cooperation.
In his talks with Tajikistan’s Minister of Internal Affairs, he pointed out that “the Iranian and Tajik people share common cultures and customs,” and stressed “the importance of security as the foundation for development and exchange.”
This construction of a cultural community has become a core element of Iran’s regional strategy.
The response from Tajikistan’s Minister of Internal Affairs was equally meaningful: “We regard Iran as our own home.” This sense of identity based on historical and cultural ties provides convenience for Iran to promote regional cooperation.
At a deeper level, Iran is attempting to build a regional cooperation network centered around itself by activating religious and cultural bonds, thereby enhancing its influence in the Islamic world.
03 Common Currency Concept: A Strategic Attempt at De-dollarization
Pezeshkian’s proposal for a regional common currency was one of the most notable initiatives at this meeting.
This vision aims to reduce dependence on international currencies and design regional payment mechanisms.
A common currency would not only reduce transaction costs but also enhance the fiscal independence of member states, serving as an important countermeasure for Iran against US financial sanctions.
From a strategic perspective, this proposal reflects Iran’s long-term planning for promoting regional economic integration and is also an active exploration in responding to US financial hegemony.
However, the realization of a common currency faces numerous challenges, including unbalanced economic development among countries, insufficient foreign exchange reserves, and practical obstacles such as lack of political mutual trust.
04 Upgrading Security Cooperation: From Non-Traditional to Comprehensive Security
This meeting listed combating terrorism, organized crime, and smuggling as key agenda items, indicating that regional security cooperation is expanding from non-traditional security areas to comprehensive security.
The Tehran meeting provided a platform for joint planning to address challenges such as terrorism, smuggling, and organized crime. This cooperation will help enhance regional cohesion and reduce tensions.
During the conference, Iran engaged in bilateral security consultations with multiple countries. For example, Iran’s Minister of Interior held talks with Oman’s Minister of Interior Hamood Faisal Al-Busaidi.
The two ministers discussed ways to enhance existing cooperation in areas of mutual interest and reviewed a range of regional issues related to ECO’s work, particularly in the security field.
Both sides emphasized the importance of developing channels for cooperation and exchange between relevant departments of the two countries, aiming to strengthen joint efforts in addressing regional challenges and contribute to security, stability, and sustainable development.
05 Geoeconomic Layout: Iran’s Ambition to Become a Transit Hub
Leveraging its unique geopolitical position, Iran is planning to become a regional transit center.
The meeting agenda included reviewing ways to develop economic, infrastructure, and security cooperation, which will lay the foundation for increased trade exchanges, joint investments, and implementation of regional projects.
Cooperation in developing transportation routes, railways, highways, and ports is an economic priority for the Economic Cooperation Organization.
Iran can utilize its capabilities to become a regional economic coordination center and benefit from goods transit.
This layout is not fanciful. Initiatives to establish multi-modal transport channels along the “Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Armenia” corridor are already advancing.
Freight transport is already being conducted on the “China-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Armenia” route.
This indicates the growing willingness for transportation and logistics connectivity between our countries.
06 Look East Strategy: The New Direction of Iran’s Diplomacy
Iran’s former Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Baqeri recently stated in an interview: “Against the backdrop of unreasonable sanctions, Iran is placing greater emphasis on ‘Looking East’, hoping to better safeguard its own interests by strengthening practical cooperation with East Asian countries.”
This strategic orientation was fully reflected in this meeting. Iran is actively moving closer to regional countries, seeking a foothold in the new geopolitical landscape.
Baqeri further explained: “Moreover, such cooperation helps jointly oppose unilateral bullying practices and build a more balanced and diverse international order. China’s influence and appeal are growing daily, making it an important strategic partner for Iran.”
Judging from practical progress, cooperation between Iran and China is deepening. Baqeri stated: “Iran-China cooperation is cooperation between two great civilizations. The further closeness between the two sides will contribute to enhanced communication between East and West and to world stability and development.”
07 Shadow of the Nuclear Issue: Security Anxiety Behind Cooperation
Although Iran is actively engaged in regional cooperation, the nuclear issue remains an unavoidable challenge. As recently as September 21, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council announced that “Tehran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency will be suspended.”
The Committee stated in its declaration: “Despite the cooperation between Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Atomic Energy Agency and the proposed solutions to resolve the issues, due to the actions of European countries, cooperation with the agency will effectively enter a state of suspension.”
On October 5, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi further clarified that “the military actions of the United States and Israel and the European side’s activation of the ‘snapback’ mechanism have changed the situation.”
Under the current circumstances, the agreement reached last month in Cairo, Egypt’s capital, with the International Atomic Energy Agency to resume cooperation can no longer serve as the basis for bilateral cooperation.
This tough stance reflects Iran’s firm position in facing Western pressure, but also indirectly explains why Iran urgently needs to expand regional cooperation to alleviate pressure from the West.
On the streets of Tehran, the motorcades of conference representatives have departed, but Iran’s diplomatic game continues. The successful hosting of the ECO Interior Ministers meeting demonstrates to the world Iran’s determination and capability to break through containment.
With the deepening of the “Look East” strategy and the advancement of regional integration, Iran is seeking new opportunities in the complex geopolitical chess game.
However, the shadow of the nuclear issue has not dissipated, the vision of a regional common currency faces many challenges, and the depth of security cooperation remains to be tested. Iran’s path to regional cooperation is destined to be uneven.
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