Iran’s Supreme Leader emphasizes neighborly interaction in Tehran's foreign policy

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, stated that interaction with neighboring countries is a priority in the Islamic Republic of Iran's foreign policy.

He made these remarks during the endorsement ceremony of newly-elected President Masoud Pezeshkian on July 28, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

In his speech, Ayatollah Khamenei expressed gratitude to Mohammad Mokhber, the vice president of the 13th Iranian administration, for managing the country's affairs over the past two months. He also praised the late founder of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini, for involving the nation in governance issues.

Ayatollah Khamenei lauded the Iranian nation's participation in the presidential elections, urging collective support for the new president and government.

"We all need to help the president and the government do great things," he emphasized.

He advised the incoming government to prioritize economic improvement and address the livelihood of the Iranian people.

"The internal capacities of the country should also be noticed," he said, adding that this does not preclude utilizing foreign resources.

Addressing global and regional dynamics, Ayatollah Khamenei stressed the need for proactive and effective responses. He acknowledged the efforts of the 13th government in this regard and praised the late diplomat Amir-Abdollahian for his dedication.

"One of our priorities in the field of foreign policy is our neighbors; we have about 14 neighbors around us," the Leader stated. He highlighted the importance of engaging with countries that can expand Iran's diplomatic reach, particularly in Asia and Africa and maintaining ties with nations that have supported Iran.

He noted that Western countries had not treated Iran well in recent years but left the door open for prioritizing interaction with them if they change their behavior.

Regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Ayatollah Khamenei described the issue as global. "The Zionist regime is a gang of criminals, murderers, and terrorists," he said, emphasizing the growing power of the Resistance and the failure of the Zionist enemy despite receiving extensive support.