Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Iran Says Neighbours Seek Security Ties Amid US Pressure
Iran says several nearby countries want to discuss new security and economic partnerships with Tehran.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf did not say which countries sent the messages.
He blamed the United States for putting its allies at risk while supporting Israel.
He said countries in the region should build their own security system without outside powers.
Ghalibaf made similar comments during a visit to Iraq.
The United States is preparing sanctions that its Treasury secretary called the toughest ever against Iran.
Ghalibaf also warned that Iran’s economy is under serious pressure.
Iran’s state media said Tehran allowed many Iraqi oil tankers to cross the Strait of Hormuz after requests from Baghdad.
Iran says it has required ships to obtain permission and pay fees before using the waterway since the war began.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said neighbouring countries sent Tehran messages seeking new security arrangements and economic cooperation.
Ghalibaf accused the United States of endangering its regional allies by prioritising Israel’s interests.
He did not identify the countries involved, provide details of the proposed arrangements, or offer evidence of the reported outreach.
Ghalibaf called for a homegrown, independent regional order without foreign involvement as Washington prepares tougher sanctions against Iran.
Iranian state media said Tehran approved passage for Iraqi oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz after repeated requests from Baghdad.
- Who
- Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, neighbouring countries cited by Iran, Iraq, and the United States.
- What
- Iran says neighbouring countries are seeking new security and economic ties; Tehran has also allowed Iraqi oil tankers to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
- When
- Ghalibaf made the latest statement on Saturday, August 22; the tanker permissions were reported as covering the previous six months.
- Where
- Iran, Iraq, and the Strait of Hormuz.
- Why
- Ghalibaf said regional countries were reassessing security concerns after US actions, while Iraq sought permission for its oil tankers to use the strait.
Iranian position
US-pressure and verification perspective
Regional security
Iranian position
Ghalibaf says US policies endangered regional allies for the sake of Israel and that countries should establish a homegrown security order.
US-pressure and verification perspective
Washington is preparing tougher sanctions against Iran, while the articles provide no US response to Ghalibaf’s accusations.
Reported diplomatic outreach
Iranian position
Iran says numerous neighbouring countries contacted Tehran about new security arrangements and economic cooperation.
US-pressure and verification perspective
The claim cannot be independently assessed from the reports because Iran did not identify the countries, explain the arrangements, or provide evidence.
Strait of Hormuz access
Iranian position
Iran says it permitted many Iraqi oil tankers to pass after repeated requests from Baghdad, despite what it described as US-linked insecurity in the strait.
US-pressure and verification perspective
Iran’s requirement that vessels obtain permission and pay transit fees has added to concerns about security on a major global energy route.
- Iranian official
- Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of Iran’s Parliament
- Reported outreach
- Iran says numerous neighbouring countries sent messages seeking new security arrangements and economic cooperation
- Unspecified countries
- Ghalibaf did not name the countries or describe their proposed arrangements
- Regional proposal
- Ghalibaf called for a homegrown, independent regional order without foreign involvement
- US sanctions
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described planned US measures as the toughest sanctions in history against Iran
- Iraqi tanker transit
- Iranian state media said Tehran allowed many Iraqi oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz over the past six months
- Transit requirements
- Iranian officials said vessels must obtain permission and pay transit fees before using the waterway
