Iran has used a recent gathering of Muslim countries called the D-8 to try to push its agenda as it seeks closer ties with Egypt and other countries via the D-8 meetings in Cairo.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Egypt’s Al-Ghad media that the US is trying to reshape the region.
The Iranian foreign minister “highlighted the long-term American-Zionist plot to weaken and disintegrate major Islamic countries so the occupying regime would dominate the region,” a report from Iran’s state media IRNA said on Sunday.
“The behavior of the Zionist regime during the Gaza war and the genocide of more than sixty thousand women, children, and civilians in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as its aggression against Syria and the destruction of its defensive, economic, and infrastructural foundations, illustrate the accuracy of Iran’s warnings about Israel’s threat to the entire region,” the Iranian diplomat said.
The goal of these comments is to try to quietly influence the other countries at the D-8, especially Egypt, with which Iran has been pressing for improved relations.
The D-8 was established in 1997 to bring together a number of developing countries that also have large Muslim populations.
These now include Iran, Turkey, Nigeria, Egypt, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Bangladesh. Azerbaijan also joined the organization this year, which would seem to mean the group is now the D-9.
Iran’s role in groups like the D-8 is important because it is part of a growing number of non-Western economic partnerships, including BRICS and the SCO. This is how countries such as Iran, Turkey, China, and Russia are positioning themselves in a multi-polar world.
Iran growing closer to China
President of the Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev thanked Iran and Turkey for supporting its membership in the D-8, Iranian media said this week.
“In separate letters to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday, President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude for Iran and Turkiye’s support of Azerbaijan’s membership in the D-8 organization,” Iran’s state media reported.
“He noted that this firm support reflects the friendly relations and strong cooperation between Azerbaijan and all D-8 member states, demonstrating unity and solidarity.”
Meanwhile, back in Tehran, Chinese Ambassador to Iran Cong Peiwu met with Ali Larijani, adviser to the Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
This is an important meeting and illustrates the growing ties between the Islamic Republic and Beijing.