In recent years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has actively defended developing countries and engaged in various forms of cooperation with them in political, economic, and military spheres. This article provides a concise overview of the most significant aspects in this area, highlighting Tehran’s practical commitment to collaborating with and safeguarding less developed nations. The key points emphasized in this report encompass support for human rights and global justice, economic partnerships, technical cooperation, educational programs, and humanitarian aid.
Support for Human Rights and Global Justice
National Sovereignty and the Right to Self-Determination of Nations
Drawing on its history of opposing colonialism and foreign intervention, Iran consistently underscores the significance of national sovereignty and the right of nations to determine their own fate. This policy aligns with international law and the principles outlined in the United Nations Charter. Iran firmly believes that every nation should be free from external interference and that this right serves as the foundation for a just global order. Consequently, Iran provides support to liberation movements and nations fighting against foreign domination, while working to strengthen their legal and political standing in international forums.
Regarding the Palestine issue, Iran has emerged as a prominent advocate for Palestinian rights in international arenas. Iran consistently supports the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and condemns Israeli policies. Additionally, one of the key causes that Iran consistently champions is the right of developing countries to access peaceful nuclear technology, which it raises in various forums, including the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Fighting Against Illegal Sanctions
Iran has faced significant challenges in recent years due to unilateral economic sanctions, particularly those imposed by the United States. Iran considers these sanctions to be illegal, inhumane, and unjust, and has voiced its protest against them in international forums, with the United Nations being a primary platform. These sanctions have inflicted not only economic damage on Iran but also caused hardship and suffering for ordinary citizens. Iran is striving to counteract these sanctions through resistance and by fostering economic relations with other countries, while persistently advocating for a just global order.
Moreover, Iran has extended support to countries like Venezuela and Cuba in their resistance against U.S. sanctions. This support has manifested through voting in the United Nations and issuing political statements. Iran has also played an active role in the Non-Aligned Movement, backing member countries against the policies of major powers (The Cradle, 2023, https://shorturl.at/OiTMh). This support includes opposing military interventions and economic sanctions targeting developing countries.
Fighting Terrorism and Extremism
In recent years, Iran has played a significant role in combating terrorist groups such as ISIS in the region. Tehran believes that terrorism and extremism not only pose threats to regional security but also to global peace and security. Iran has collaborated with neighboring countries and global powers to address these threats through military and diplomatic measures. This fight has not only protected Iran’s security but has also contributed to the security of other nations, promoting a more fair regional order. Iran has worked together with countries like Iraq and Syria in the battle against terrorism, which includes exchanging information, training special forces, and providing guidance on combating terrorist groups.
Promoting Dialogue Among Nations
Iran strives to reduce international tensions and misunderstandings through cultural diplomacy and the promotion of dialogue among civilizations. Tehran believes that dialogue and cultural exchange can enhance inter-nation relations and foster a shared understanding of global issues. By organizing international conferences and meetings on various cultural and religious topics, Iran aims to strengthen global cooperation and advocate for social justice and human rights (New York MFA, 2023, https://shorturl.at/bSJxX).
Iran employs cultural diplomacy as a tool to champion justice and human rights, aiming to showcase its culture and civilization to the world and underscore its role in advancing justice and human rights. These efforts form part of Iran’s broader strategy to foster constructive and equitable interactions at the international level.
Supporting Oppressed Nations
Iran consistently positions itself as a supporter of oppressed nations, notably demonstrated through its support for Palestinians and condemnation of Israeli occupation. By offering political, financial, and humanitarian aid to nations experiencing occupation or facing political and economic pressures, Iran endeavors to defend human rights and justice on a global scale. This approach aligns with Iran’s overarching policy of establishing a just international order and preventing injustice.
Iran has supported the positions of developing countries in international forums, such as the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. This support primarily focuses on combating colonialism, advocating for Palestinian rights, and opposing the policies of major powers.
Economic Partnerships
Investment
In recent decades, Iran has endeavored to strengthen its relations with developing countries by providing economic assistance. This assistance has primarily taken the form of investment in infrastructure projects. One of the most significant examples of this assistance was the provision of a $1 billion credit line to Senegal in 2009. The purpose of this credit was to finance various projects, including the construction of an oil refinery (KFCRIS, 2021, https://shorturl.at/C27vV).
In Latin America, Iran has provided substantial economic assistance to Venezuela. This assistance has included investments in various industries, such as automotive and housing (IranWire, 2024, https://shorturl.at/u2CHp). In Africa, Iran has provided financial assistance to countries such as Sudan and Zimbabwe. This assistance has mainly focused on infrastructure development and agriculture. Iran has also extended significant economic aid to certain Asian countries, such as Syria and Iraq, following periods of war and instability. This assistance has involved the granting of loans and participation in reconstruction projects.
Iran has expanded its economic relations with developing countries through investment. These investments have predominantly targeted the infrastructure, industrial, and energy sectors. One of the most noteworthy areas of Iranian investment has been the energy sector. For instance, Iran has invested in oil and gas projects in countries such as Venezuela and Bolivia. In the industrial sector, Iran has established manufacturing plants in countries like Senegal and Sudan. These factories primarily engage in the production of automobiles, tractors, and construction materials (IranWire, 2024, https://shorturl.at/u2CHp).
Iran has also invested in infrastructure projects, including dam construction, power plants, and roads, in certain African and Asian countries. In the agricultural sector, Iran has invested in overseas cultivation projects in countries such as Ghana and Brazil. These projects have been undertaken with the aim of ensuring food security and increasing agricultural exports (Farmlandgrab, 2024, https://shorturl.at/uMjI7). However, these investments have occasionally encountered challenges, such as political risks, legal issues, and financial constraints.
Preferential Trade
Iran has aimed to enhance its economic exchanges by establishing preferential trade relations with select developing countries. These relations involve reducing customs tariffs, facilitating banking transactions, and establishing joint free trade zones. One of Iran’s notable initiatives in this area has been signing preferential trade agreements with countries such as Pakistan, Turkey, and Indonesia (US-ASEAN Business Council, 2023, https://shorturl.at/vMGpL). These agreements have successfully lowered trade barriers and increased the volume of exchanges.
Moreover, Iran has made efforts to facilitate trade with sanctioned countries through barter systems and bilateral exchanges. This approach has been particularly utilized in trade with countries like Venezuela and Syria. In terms of exports, Iran has shipped products such as petrochemicals, construction materials, and agricultural goods to certain developing countries under special conditions. Furthermore, Tehran has aimed to encourage imports from developing countries by establishing credit lines and providing financial facilities. This measure is primarily focused on importing raw materials and strategic goods.
Technical Cooperation
Iran has conducted extensive activities in the transfer of technical knowledge and technology to developing countries. This cooperation has primarily focused on agriculture, medicine, engineering, and energy. In the field of agriculture, Iran has provided assistance to countries like Sudan and Venezuela in seed improvement, irrigation, and agricultural mechanization. For instance, Iran has utilized advanced technologies to implement wheat and corn cultivation projects in Sudan. In the medical field, Iran has aided countries such as Ghana and Kenya in the establishment of pharmaceutical factories. Iran has also been actively involved in medical education and has dispatched medical teams to African nations (KFCRIS, 2021, https://shorturl.at/C27vV).
In the engineering sector, Iran has established tractor and automobile manufacturing plants in Venezuela. In Bolivia, Iran has engaged in technical cooperation regarding lithium extraction (Tehran Times, 2021, https://shorturl.at/3VRnK). Concerning the energy sector, Tehran has provided assistance to countries like Syria and Iraq in the reconstruction and development of oil and gas infrastructure. Iran has also collaborated with several African countries in the field of renewable energy. These technical collaborations have been primarily driven by the goal of enhancing the technical and economic independence of the recipient countries.
Educational Programs
Iran offers numerous programs aimed at attracting foreign students, particularly those from developing countries. These programs include scholarships, short-term training courses, and faculty and student exchanges. Iranian universities admit hundreds of students from African, Asian, and Latin American countries each year, covering a wide range of fields such as engineering, medicine, humanities, and Islamic sciences. Notably, Al-Mustafa International University (MIU) in Qom serves as a significant center for imparting Islamic sciences education to foreign students. With branches in various countries, this university educates thousands of students from across the globe (Tehran Times, 2023, https://shorturl.at/Ckpy4).
Furthermore, Tehran offers short-term training courses in various fields, including agriculture, information technology, and management, to experts from developing countries. In terms of faculty and student exchange, Iran has entered into agreements with universities in numerous countries. These agreements facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences between Iranian and foreign academics.
Humanitarian Aid
Iran has provided humanitarian assistance to developing countries during natural and human crises. This assistance includes the provision of food, medicine, medical equipment, and dispatching relief teams. A notable example of this aid was Iran’s response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010, where they sent food and medical shipments. Iran has also extended aid to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, providing food, tents, and medical equipment (World Geostrategic Insights, 2021, https://shorturl.at/39N5Y). In the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, Iran has made efforts to send humanitarian aid, consisting of food, medicine, and medical equipment, to those affected by the war. Furthermore, Iran has provided relief aid during natural disasters, such as floods and earthquakes, in neighboring countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, the delivery of this aid has encountered challenges, including complications arising from international sanctions.
Conclusion
The development of all countries and the improvement of development indicators in developing countries will foster hope for a just and equitable global order. The Islamic Republic of Iran stands as a significant political actor dedicated to achieving this crucial objective. Tehran has demonstrated its importance in various fields and its commitment to supporting the rights of less developed nations since the inception of the Islamic Revolution. This article offers a concise exploration of Iran’s endeavors in this domain, providing a summary of Tehran’s actions. The triumph of the Islamic Revolution in Iran served as evidence of national sovereignty and the right of nations to self-determination, principles that have been reemphasized in recent years. As Iran has faced unlawful sanctions, the detrimental effects of these measures have been palpable, prompting Iran to vigorously oppose them. Tehran also actively combats terrorism and extremism, as demonstrated by its humanitarian actions in Iraq and Syria. The Islamic Republic of Iran has consistently championed the idea of inter-nation dialogue and has prioritized supporting oppressed nations, particularly the people of Palestine, in accordance with its foreign policy. Beyond its commitment to human rights, Tehran has extended support to developing countries in economic realms, including various investments and preferential trade arrangements. Tehran’s technical cooperation with these nations is also noteworthy, as Iran has endeavored to transfer technical knowledge and technology. Tehran’s educational programs and scientific collaborations with these countries reflect its dedication and scientific capabilities. Additionally, Tehran’s provision of humanitarian aid to various nations in times of crisis underscores the Islamic Republic of Iran’s role as a leading advocate for developing countries in their pursuit of a just and democratic global order.
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