PHOTO: President Rouhani with other leaders in the Non-Aligned Movement, including Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas, on Saturday (Ariana Cubillos/AP)


Amid growing political and economic challenges, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has appealed to non-aligned countries for support.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Non-Aligned Movement summit in Venezuela on Saturday, Rouhani decalred:

At the current juncture, NAM member states more than ever require solidarity, convergence and coordination. The truth is that as a bloc that comprises about two-thirds of the United Nations members, we are an undeniable part of the solutions to the challenges facing today’s world.

Rouhani spoke generally of “founding principles” of independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty for good relations, security, and development.

However, he also touched on specific challenges for Iran, notably its involvement in the Syrian civil war.

The President framed Tehran’s support of the Assad regime as an essential defense against a foreign-backed opposition and rebellion, linking this to the campaign in the region against the Islamic State:

The violation of the national sovereignty of developing countries is being carried out under various covers and forms….

While a number of irresponsible countries in the Mideast and West were busy arming and training Takfiri terrorists, we stood by the Iraqi and Syrian nations and governments against one of the most violent terrorist groups [ISIS].

In another implicit reference to Syria, he asserted, “National dialogue should take place with the participation of interested and legitimate parties without interference by foreign powers and the ballot box should ultimately determine the fate of these countries.”

Iran has faced an increasing cost for its essential backing, alongside Russia, of the Assad regime. Tehran has provided billions of dollars in economic and military support since 2012, and it stepped up its intervention with the deployment of more commanders and ground troops, as well as Iranian-led foreign militias, alongside Russian aerial operations that began last September.

Meanwhile, the Iranian economy continues to struggle despite January’s implementation of a nuclear agreement between Tehran and the 5+1 Powers. Iran has recovered some of its pre-2012 oil exports, but many US sanctions are still in place, and European companies and banks have been reluctant to renew business with the Islamic Republic.

The uncertain economic situation has spurred regime in-fighting, with the Supreme Leader warning Rouhani that he might take over planning for a “Resistance Economy” of self-sufficiency.

A Diplomatic Offensive

Last month, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tried to strengthen ties with Latin America, with a week-long tour of six countries. Iran has also hosted high-level officials from Cuba and Venezuela — both of whom were visited by Zarif — in recent weeks.

On Saturday, Rouhani saw leaders from Bolivia and Ecuador, as well as the heads of India — with whom the Islamic Republic is pursuing economic projects, including a port at Chabahar in southern Iran — and Algeria.

Next week, the President will address the annual meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York.