Aref's message to the EAEU War claims and cooperation

Oct 2

Bektenov invites Iranian Ambassador Mohsen Omid-Zamani to read First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref's message; the ambassador says Aref could not attend. The message condemns U.S. and Israeli attacks as aggression and violations of sovereignty and international law, alleges civilian harm at a Minab school and a Kuhestak wedding, calls for civilian protection and asserts Iran's right to self-defense. It criticizes unilateral and extraterritorial sanctions and advocates sovereignty and multilateral cooperation. Turning to economics, it calls for turning the Iran–EAEU free-trade framework, said to have taken effect in 2025, into trade, investment and joint projects, alongside energy, technology and independent financial settlements. It proposes developing the North–South Corridor through rail and road works, ports, terminals, logistics hubs and digital customs, presenting Iran as a connection to southern markets. Allegations, legal characterizations and prospective benefits remain Aref's message as read by the ambassador; they do not establish attack findings, new agreements or completed infrastructure.

Aref's message proposes transforming the North–South Corridor into a strategic trade, investment, energy and supply-chain project linking Eurasia through Iran to the Persian Gulf, Indian Ocean and southern markets. It calls for rail and road completion, ports, terminals, logistics hubs and digital customs. This is a development proposal, not an announced completed corridor.