New York, September 21, 2023 – Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi delivered a powerful speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, emphasizing the evolving international landscape and criticizing Western policies. As the world leaders gathered in New York for the annual conference, Raisi highlighted several key points:
Changing World Order: Raisi began by acknowledging the evolving global landscape, asserting that the world is undergoing profound changes. He emphasized that these changes are irreversible and that the old Western-dominated order no longer serves as a viable solution for global challenges.
Critique of Western Policies: The Iranian president didn’t hold back in his criticism of Western powers, particularly the United States and its allies. He contended that the project to “Americanize the world” has failed, citing increased resistance and awareness among nations.
Western Democracy: Raisi stated that Western democracy has reached the end of its journey, particularly in West Asia, where it is associated with coups, occupations, and wars. He argued that the people of the region have experienced the true meaning of Western democracy.
Respect for Divine Religions: Holding a copy of the Quran, Raisi condemned recent acts of desecration against the Muslim holy book in Europe. He urged the United Nations to prevent such insults and advocated for respect for divine religions on the international agenda.
Family Institution: Raisi expressed concern about what he called the “war against the family” and emphasized the importance of the family institution for education and development. He described attacks on the family as a crime against humanity.
Iran’s Sanctions and International Relations: President Raisi highlighted Iran’s resilience under sanctions for the past 45 years and stated that the sanctions policy has failed. He also expressed Iran’s disapproval of war in Ukraine, emphasizing that his country does not support war anywhere.
Nuclear Accord and European Relations: Regarding the 2015 nuclear accord, Raisi called the U.S. withdrawal a “unilateral crime” and criticized European countries for failing to uphold their commitments under the deal. He suggested that the U.S. must prove its good intentions and commitment to future talks through trust building.
Economic Cooperation: Raisi stressed that Iran offers unique investment opportunities and is open to economic cooperation. He described Iran’s neighborhood policy as benevolent and expressed a willingness to engage in economic partnerships with countries in the region and around the world.
President Raisi’s speech at the UN General Assembly conveyed Iran’s perspective on the changing global order and its stance on various international issues, including relations with the West and the importance of respecting religious and cultural values.
