Maduro, Pezeshkian call for unity to confront West, Zionists

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that the future belongs to those driven by "freedom, justice, and independence," asserting that colonialism cannot hinder these aspirations.

Speaking on the sidelines of the BRICS 2024 summit in Kazan, Russia, on Thursday with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Pezeshkian emphasized his administration's commitment to both domestic and international affairs.

He characterized the "enhancement of internal unity and cohesion, along with strong ties to neighboring nations and countries worldwide," as essential pillars of power.

Iran officially became a member of the BRICS at the beginning of 2024, five months after it announced its acceptance as a full member of the group along with Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

BRICS was formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, which collectively represented around 40% of the global population and a quarter of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Pezeshkian also referenced the assassination of Ismail Haniyah, martyred politburo chief of the Gaza-based resistance movement Hamas, by the Israeli regime in late July in Tehran, stating that the Zionist regime carried out the act of terrorism to "disturb the advancement" of his administration's stances.

“Despite the Zionist regime’s intention to provoke the Islamic Republic of Iran into war, we exercised restraint in response to violations of Iran’s sovereignty, with the goal of advancing and concluding ceasefire negotiations (between the Israeli regime and Palestine). However, this regime (Israeli regime) has only become bolder in its crimes against innocent and defenseless women and children.”

“The Zionist regime commits the most heinous terrorist acts under the pretext of fighting terrorism,” said the Iranian president, posing a question: “Is the definition of combating terrorism the massacre of tens of thousands of defenseless women and children?”

He also warned against the ongoing Israeli aggression in the West Asia region, stating, “If the Zionist regime continues to escalate tensions, the entire region will be engulfed in conflict.”

Elsewhere in his speech, Pezeshkian asserted that “the future belongs to those driven by freedom, justice, and independence, and colonialism will ultimately fail to limit these aspirations.”

He urged BRICS member states and other free nations to strengthen their ties based on a new world order, independent of Western unilateralism.

For his part, Maduro described the strengthening of relationships among independent countries through regional and international unions like BRICS as “vital,” particularly as Western nations attempt to impose their dominance and hegemony through war, violence, economic pressure, and sanctions.

He emphasized the need to address key issues within the “Joint Economic Cooperation Commission” to enhance relations, particularly focusing on investment and collaboration in the energy sector.

"The actions of Americans and Westerners across various regions today reflect a troubling reproduction of neo-Nazi and neo-fascist dynamics, while Zionism embodies a resurgence of Nazism and fascism on the global stage,” he stated.

"Today’s conflict involving the Zionists extends far beyond Palestinian territories; Zionism, much like an octopus, aims to exert control over the entire world. Just as fascism and Nazism sought to distance themselves from the old international community, the Zionists are now attempting to circumvent the United Nations.

"Consequently, independent nations must unite now more than ever, as Americans and Westerners are merely engaged in deceptive diplomacy, showing no commitment to their promises or assurances,” he added.

Pezeshkian arrived in the Russian city of Kazan to attend the 2024 BRICS summit on Tuesday night. His participation in the three-day summit followed an official invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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