Rouhani to Propose ‘Coalition of Hope’ Initiative at UNGA

Hassan Rouhani said he is going to underline the issue of regional security during his upcoming speech at the UN General Assembly in New York.

“This year, we will introduce to the world a plan which underlines that the Islamic Republic of Iran can ensure security in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman in cooperation with regional countries,” said the president on Sunday.

The initiative is called the Hormuz Peace Initiative – the gist of which is love and hope – with the slogan ‘The coalition of hope”, he added.

Rouhani said the initiative will envision the provision of security for the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Strait of Hormuz with cooperation among Iran and other regional countries.

He made the remarks in an address to a parade in the capital, Tehran, marking the anniversary of the start of the eight-year Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s.

Rouhani said security in the Persian Gulf should be provided “from within.”

So, he added, the presence of foreign forces in the region can be “problematic”, as it endangers the region as well as maritime and energy security.

President Rouhani is scheduled to travel to New York for the annual UN General Assembly meeting on Monday.