Iranian president proposes ‘CIS+1’ format for cooperation with Iran

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the Islamic Republic of Iran regarded itself as a natural part of the region’s interconnected geography, adding that these ties were not only geographical but also deeply rooted in history, culture, civilization and people-to-people relations.

On this basis, he proposed establishing a “Commonwealth of Independent States + Iran,” or “CIS+1,” format as a flexible and effective mechanism for dialogue and cooperation.

Pezeshkian referred to potential cooperation in transit, energy, trade, mining, investment, technology, water, the environment, tourism, and scientific and cultural exchanges, stressing the need to expand joint cooperation in these areas.

He also identified common challenges such as climate change, declining water resources, environmental issues affecting the Caspian Sea and the Aral Sea region, organized crime and drug trafficking as areas requiring joint regional solutions.

Pezeshkian stressed the need for genuine multilateralism in the region, saying the important and strategic countries of the region should be among the key actors shaping a multipolar world.