Iranian President proposes a "CIS+1" format

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has proposed expanding cooperation with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) by introducing a "CIS+1" format that would include Tehran.

"For us, regional diplomacy is not just about holding meetings; it must become a tool for managing crises, maintaining communication, preventing conflict escalation, and promoting practical cooperation," he stated at the CIS Council of Heads of State summit in Turkmenistan.

This marks the first time in the organization's history that an Iranian leader has attended the event as a special guest. "We must combine our capabilities so that every country can benefit from our shared geography," he said.

Pezeshkian believes the Middle East can be "transformed into a network for energy production, transmission, and exchange" connecting oil, gas, electricity, and renewable energy sources.