TEHRAN – Iran’s first vice president, Mohammad Reza Alev, has issued a harsh warning about Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, saying “Tomorrow is too late.”
He made his remarks at the third UN conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in Turkmenistan on Tuesday, calling for immediate and collective international action to lift the lockdown.
“For almost two years, the people of Gaza have suffered unimaginable crimes. The weaponization of hunger and thirst has failed to break their spirit.”
He urged global communities and human rights advocates to take responsibility and end their suffering before it escalates further.
The aref strongly condemns the systematic war crimes of the Zionist regime of the besieged territory, saying:
“Attacking hungry civilians for food, water or medicine is a blatant war crime and crime against humanity. The international community, especially those who advocate for human rights, must be held responsible for the blood spilled in Gaza.”
Aleph also sharply criticised Israel’s 12-day military attack on Iran (promoted by the US). He said he claimed 1,100 lives, including 45 children and 132 women, and injured 5,750 other people.
“Supporting the Zionist regime, and even direct involvement in attacks on Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities — the United States has destroyed the negotiation table and once again confirmed global distrust in its promise,” he said.
He emphasized that Iran has never launched a war, but it defended its sovereignty and pursued legal compensation for the damages caused by Israeli and American attacks.
Noting that a new round of new Iranian and US speeches was planned, the AREF said US accomplices in the Israeli strike effectively killed the diplomatic outlook.
“Iran calls for justice through international legal mechanisms for the human and material victims imposed by this illegal attack.”
“Iran is becoming more important as a regional logistics and transportation hub.”
The AREF highlights the growing importance of Iran as a regional logistics and transport hub, especially for landlocked countries. He noted that eight LLDCs, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, rely on Iran’s direct or multilateral transport routes.
“Iran plays an important role in the Asian, Africa and European connections,” AREF said, emphasizing that the infrastructure is open to both domestic and foreign investments.
He praised the recent reforms in digitalization, customs cooperation and trade facilitation, mainly thanks to regional partnerships, as Iran received a record hit of 20 million tonnes in freight transport in 2024. Iran is drafting a roadmap for a deeper transport collaboration with the LLDC, he added.
Alev praised Turkmenistan’s neutrality policy and emphasized its partnership with Iran in fostering regional peace and sustainable development.
Iran forms the LLDC’s natural transport bridge as a gateway to Central Asia and the Caucasus, with access to the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, the Indian Ocean and Turkmenistan. He pointed to ports like Chabahar and Bandar Abbas, which serve as global market access points for the region’s states.
He also highlighted Iran’s active participation in multilateral mechanisms such as the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Ashgabat Agreement, Eurasian Economic Union and Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
“Our approach to local ties is based on cooperation rather than competition. It is in line with the spirit of Vienna and Abaza’s program of action.”
Alev arrived at Turkmenbashi International Airport on Monday evening, where he was accepted by Turkmenistan’s Vice President.
The LLDCS conference officially opened on Tuesday in a speech by Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and UN Secretary-General Guterres.
“Iran’s nuclear activities are in compliance with international law.”
In consultations with Guterres about a side job at the conference, Aleph reiterated that Iran’s nuclear activities are peaceful and compliant with international law, claiming that recent attacks by the US and Israel violated all legal norms.
“Iran has accepted the ceasefire for humanitarian reasons despite the continued threat,” Alev said.
Guterres condemned the Israeli-American strike as a violation of international law and highlighted the UN’s commitment to peace, diplomacy and humanitarian relief in Gaza.
“Iranian companies ready to participate in the Armenian development project”
At another meeting with the President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagnyu Khachatryan, Alev reaffirmed the special ties between Iran and Armenia, highlighting opportunities for increased cooperation in energy, agriculture, technology, education and infrastructure.
He also welcomed the potential membership of Armenia in Shanghai Cooperation Agency and the free trade agreement between Iran and EAEU as a platform to boost trade.
“Iranian companies with expertise in dam construction and AI are ready to take part in Armenia’s development projects,” AREF said.
President Khachaturian expressed strong support for Iran and looked forward to President Pezeshkian’s visit to Yerevan, calling it a “great opportunity” to deepen bilateral relations.
“Iran rejects foreign interference in Libyan political processes.”
At another meeting with Mohammad al-Memphi, Libya’s presidential council president, Aleph expressed Iran’s support for the “Libya-led” political process and refused foreign interference. He highlighted Iran’s preparation for sharing technology, knowledge and experience with Libya, especially given the struggle under both countries’ sanctions.
He proposed to revive the Iran-Libya Joint Committee and noted the progress in reopening Iranian embassies in Tripoli.
Al-Memphi thanked Iran for his support and refuted Aleph’s condemnation of Israeli invasion.
“We support Iran’s right to energy self-sufficiency and stand with the people of Gaza,” he said.