Senior adviser to Iran’s Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ali Akbar Velayati, has called for the withdrawal of foreign military forces in West Asia, arguing that their continued presence is a major source of insecurity and instability. In a post on X, Velayati said recent regional developments had strengthened the argument that countries in West Asia should take greater responsibility for their own security rather than depending on outside military powers.
Velayati’s Call for Regional Security
Velayati said recent developments had demonstrated the need for foreign troops to leave the region. Referring to what Tehran describes as setbacks for the United States and Israel, he argued that regional countries have the ability to protect their own interests and maintain security through cooperation.
His remarks reflect Iran’s longstanding position that regional security should primarily be managed by the countries of West Asia. Tehran has repeatedly criticized the deployment of foreign forces, arguing that military bases and external interventions can increase tensions instead of creating lasting stability.
The debate over foreign military forces in West Asia has remained particularly significant because the region contains several important strategic locations, including the Persian Gulf and major energy and trade routes.
Iran’s Argument for Regional Cooperation
According to Velayati, recent events have demonstrated the importance of regional coordination. He attributed Iran’s ability to withstand military pressure to the resistance of the country’s armed forces, the resilience of the Iranian population, and the activities of groups that Tehran describes as part of the resistance axis.
He called on regional states to strengthen cooperation and develop a sustainable security framework without relying heavily on external military powers.
Such an approach would represent a major shift from the traditional security arrangements in which countries in the region have relied on partnerships with major international powers for defense and strategic support.
For Tehran, reducing the presence of foreign military forces in West Asia is therefore connected not only to military considerations but also to the broader question of regional sovereignty.
Rising Tensions in the Persian Gulf
Velayati’s comments came after Iranian retaliatory strikes against US military positions and assets across parts of the Persian Gulf region.
Iranian authorities said the strikes were carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Iranian Army under Operation Nasr-2. Tehran described the operation as a response to continued US attacks and what it characterized as violations of an interim ceasefire agreement.
The developments have once again placed the military presence of outside powers under scrutiny.
The Persian Gulf is one of the world’s most strategically important regions. Any escalation involving military forces stationed there can have consequences extending beyond the countries directly involved.
Why Foreign Troops Remain a Major Issue
The presence of foreign troops in West Asia has been debated for decades. Supporters argue that international military deployments can help deter attacks, protect shipping routes, combat militant organizations, and support allied governments.
Critics, including Iran, maintain that these deployments can produce the opposite effect by increasing tensions and creating conditions for confrontation.
The question of foreign military forces in West Asia is particularly complicated because regional governments have different security interests and relationships with global powers.
Some states maintain close defense partnerships with the United States and other Western countries, while others argue that regional security should be developed independently.
Iran’s Vision for Regional Security
Iran has consistently promoted the concept of regional security without dependence on foreign military powers. Iranian officials argue that neighboring countries have a shared interest in preventing conflict and maintaining stability.
Under this approach, cooperation among regional governments would become the foundation of a new security structure.
Such cooperation could potentially involve diplomatic dialogue, confidence-building measures, agreements on maritime security, and mechanisms for resolving disputes without military escalation.
However, achieving such a framework would be challenging because of longstanding political disagreements and competing strategic interests among regional countries.
The Broader Geopolitical Debate
Velayati’s statement also highlights the broader geopolitical competition between Iran and the United States.
Washington maintains military partnerships and facilities across several parts of West Asia, while Iran has developed relationships with governments and non-state groups that form part of what it calls the resistance axis.
Both sides have fundamentally different views about the sources of regional insecurity.
For Iran, the presence of foreign military forces in West Asia is a central factor contributing to instability. The United States, meanwhile, has argued that its military presence supports regional allies and helps protect strategic interests.
Whether foreign troops will eventually leave West Asia depends on a wide range of political and security developments. Regional governments would need to reach agreements on how collective security could operate and how existing threats would be addressed.
A sustainable regional security framework would also require trust between countries that have experienced years of political rivalry.
Velayati’s latest remarks are therefore likely to contribute to an ongoing debate about the future security architecture of West Asia.
Ali Akbar Velayati’s call for the withdrawal of foreign military forces in West Asia reflects Iran’s long-standing belief that regional countries should take primary responsibility for their own security. His comments came amid renewed tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel, making the issue particularly significant.
Whether the region can develop a security system based primarily on regional cooperation remains uncertain. However, the continuing debate demonstrates that the role of foreign military powers will remain a central issue in discussions about the future of West Asian security and stability.
